Apparatus for applying a bung seal to an electrical lead

Apparatus for applying a hollow bung seal to an electrical lead, the apparatus comprising;

• a bung seal source (4);
• a bung seal receptacle (6) for receiving a leading bung seal (BS1) from the bung seal source (4);
• a bung seal transfer device (10) comprising a guide structure (12) which supports for axial movement relative thereto, a bung seal expansion sleeve (14) and a bung seal expansion pin (18) within said sleeve (14);
• means (2) for inserting an electrical lead (L) into the sleeve (14);
• and drive means (22,30) for sequentially causing;
• the expansion pin (18) to enter and expand the bung seal (BS1) in the bung seal receptacle (6);
• the sleeve (14) to enter and further expand the bung seal (BS1);
• the expansion pin (18) to be withdrawn from the bung seal (BS1) leaving said bung seal secured to the sleeve (14) by its own resilience, and permitting a lead (L) to be inserted into the sleeve (14) by the lead insertion means (2);
• and the sleeve (14) to be withdrawn from the bung seal (BS1) leading said bung seal secured to the lead (L) by its own resilience;
• characterized in that the guide structure (12), the seal receptacle 6) and the bung seal source (4) are mounted in mutually fixed relationship, a bung seal transfer clamp (8) being provided for withdrawing the leading seal (BS1) from the bung seal source (4) and placing said leading seal between the bung seal receptacle (6) and the expansion pin (18) for transfer thereby into the bung seal receptacle (6), the lead insertion means (2) being mounted for movement towards and away from the side of the bung seal receptacle (6) remote from the guide structure (12), the seal receptacle having a pair of jaws 44) having an open and a closed position and containing resilient members (42') which, in the closed position of the jaws, co-operate to provide a grommet through which the leading end (20) of the expansion pin (18) and the lead (L) are passed, and which serves as an abutment against which an end of the seal (BS1) is forced by the expansion pin (18) after said expansion pin has transferred the seal (BS1) from the bung seal clamp (8) to the bung seal receptacle (6).