Apparatus for automatically feeding and assembling wires into a trough of a panel

A wire feeding device for placing wire into a trough extending in at least one axial direction and having an opening for placement of said wire therein, the trough including a restraining mechanism positioned over the opening to restrain said wire therein, the wire feeding device comprising:

• a housing for said wire feeding device;
• a wire feeding assembly mounted to the housing, said wire feeding assembly including a feed tube for said wire to pass therethrough, said feed tube directing said wire for placement into the trough;
• and
• a wedge mounted to the housing for insertion into the trough to traverse a path tracing said trough and for encountering said restraining mechanism to move said restraining mechanism from a first position over said opening to the trough to a second position away from said first position so that said wire is placed within the trough, said wedge having a forward end and a rear end, said feed tube being disposed between said forward end and said rear end so that said retraining mechanism will be held in said second position while said wire is being placed in said trough,
• a spray applicator mounted to the housing, the spray applicator for applying an adhesive material to secure said wire in the trough.

A wire feeding device for placing wire into a trough extending in at least one axial direction and having an opening for placement of said wire therein, the trough including a restraining mechanism positioned over the opening to restrain said wire therein, the wire feeding device comprising:

• a housing for said wire feeding device;
• a wire feeding assembly mounted to the housing, said wire feeding assembly including a feed tube for said wire to pass therethrough, said feed tube directing said wire for placement into the trough;
• a wedge mounted to the housing for insertion into the trough to traverse a path tracing said trough and for encountering said restraining mechanism to move said restraining mechanism from a first position over said opening to the trough to a second position away from said first position so that said wire is placed within the trough, said wedge having a forward end and a rear end, said feed tube being disposed between said forward end and said rear end so that said restraining mechanism will be held in said second position while said wire is being placed in said trough;
• a cutting means for cutting said wire after said wire is placed in the trough wherein said cutting means, includes a cutting tool, said cutting tool having a first arm and a second arm, said first arm being pivotally mounted to said second arm, said arms having cutting jaws at corresponding ends, said arms being spaced a first distance when said cutting jaws are in an open position, and said arms being spaced a second distance when said cutting jaws are in a closed position, said second distance being less than said first distance, said cutting jaws of said cutting tool being biased in said open position;
• a camming bar having two ends, said camming bar mounted in proximity to said cutting tool, said camming bar having camming rollovers at each said end, said camming rollers extending generally perpendicular to said camming bar, said cutting tool being disposed between said camming rollers;
• and
• wherein said camming bar is movable relative to said cutting tool, said camming rollers moving said cutting tool from said open position to said closed position as said camming rollers cam against an outer surface of each said arm of said cutting tool.