Feed mechanism for a terminal applicator
AssigneeThe Whitaker Corporation
InventorWilliam Herbert Bair
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A terminal feed mechanism (16) is provided for an applicator (10) for attaching terminals (198) to electrical conductors. The feed mechanism (16) includes first, second, and third pivoting links (34, 36, and 38, respectively), the first and second of which are pivotally coupled by means of gear teeth (52, 54). The second and third links (36, 38) are coupled by an adjustable slide member (84) that is in sliding engagement with the third link (38). The position of the slide member with respect to the third link governs the length of the feed stroke. A feed finger (170) that engages and advances the strip (196) of terminals (198) is carried by another adjusting mechanism (46) that independently controls the feed end point of the feed finger (170).
Claims12
An applicator for attaching terminals to electrical conductors having a frame including a base, a ram coupled to said frame and arranged for reciprocating movement along an axis in a first direction toward said base and in a second opposite direction, and a feed mechanism arranged for feeding a strip of said terminals during operation of said applicator, said feed mechanism comprising:
- (1) first, second, and third links pivotally attached to said frame and having mutually parallel first, second, and third pivot axes, respectively, said first link being coupled to said ram so that during motion of said ram in said first direction said first link is caused to pivot in a first rotational direction;
- (2) coupling means coupling said first and second links together so that when said first link is pivoted in said first rotational direction said second link is caused to pivot in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction;
- (3) an adjustable stroke mechanism coupling said second and third links together so that when said second link is pivoted in said second rotational direction said third link is caused to pivot in said first rotational direction;
- and
- (4) a feed finger assembly coupled to said third link having a feed finger arranged to engage said strip of terminals,
- so that when said ram moves in said first direction said feed finger moves through a feed stroke thereby advancing said strip of terminals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.