US2655953A - Wire connecting tool - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20,- 1953 H. A. MILOCHE 2,655,953

' I WIRE CONNECTING TOOL Filed June 6, 1947 INVENTOR H. A. M/LOC HE ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE CONNECTING 'i'ooL Her-man A. Miloche-, Teane'ck, N. J., assigno'r to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Yr, a corporation of New York Application June 6, 1947, Serial No. 752,895

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to wire connecting tools and more particularly to hand tools for connect ing wire to electrical terminals.

The invention provides a shaft rotatably housed in a body member which may be grasped in the hand. The shaft is provided with a hole axially therein and opening on one end of said shaft. It is not necessary, as will be appreciated by skilled persons from a reading of Subsequent description, that the hole be exactly symmetrical with respect to the axis of the shaft. It is necessary only that such hol'e be substantially axial. In addition to the axial hole, the shaft is provided with another hole or aperture or groove situated longitudinally of said shaft and opening on the said one end thereof but offset radially from said axial hole. An end of a Wire is intended t be placed in the said other hole or aperture or groe've and may be gripped frictionally thereby. An electrical terminal, to which said wire is to be connected, is insertable into the said axial hole. With the wire and terminal in this position a rotary motion is imparted to the shaft such that the gripped end of said wire is wrapped spirally about the said terminal. Axial motion may be imparted to said shaft simultaneously with the rotary motion to insure that the spiral of wire conforms to a helical spiral about said terminal.

A detailed description of one embodiment of the invention; generally described above, is here inafter set forth in conjunction with the draw ing forming a part of this disclosure. The various figures of said drawing are described generally asfollows:

Fig. 1 shows the invention embodied in a pliertype tool in position for use;

Fig. 2 is a perspective enlargement of certain details of the invention to be explained;

I Fig. 3 is a perspective enlargement similar to Fig. 2 but disclosing a modified structure;

H Figs. 4 and 5 are views of the operating end of the shaft of the tool of Fig. l;

Fig.- 6 is an end view of the tool of Fig.- 2 when in condition for operation;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the shaft and its gearing whereby both rotary and axial motion may be imparted to said shaft if so desired; and

Fig. 8 is an end view of a modified form of the said tool.

Referring to Fig. 1, a 'plier-likeconstruction is shown as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. A body member I has hinged or pivoted thereto two levers or arms 2 and 3. Arm 3 is normally separated froi'nthe handle portion 4 of body member I by being biased under the ac= 2 tion of a spring 5 fixed to arms 3 at 6 and enga ing handle 4 at 1. Attached to handle '4. by means 'of rivets or other suitable fastening means a. is an angle frame 9 comprising a base portion In and aweb portion I I. Housed in body member I, as a bearing journal, is a shaft I2 which has fixed to its rearward portion a pinion gear I3, secured to shaft I2 by such means as a set screw I4. The outermost rearward end of the shaft l2 may; in one type or tool, be upset at I5 to provide, in cooperation with pinion I3, confining means to preclude axial movement of shaft I2, the upright I I having a suitable hole therein to accom= modate shaft I2 inthe nature of a bearing surface. Attached to the free end of arm 3 is a rack I6 located between pinion I3 and the base III of angle frame 91. Rack I6 is intended to engage pinion I3 in a well-known manner to rotate shaft I2 when arm 3 is squeezed toward the handle 4 by the hand of an operator. A lug I l on the end of rack I6 is located so as to engage a pin II! in the base II] in order to fix the position of shaft I2 when in it's normal position, as shown in Fig. l, and as subsequently explained. The forward port .tion I9 of the body member I is more clearly explained with reference to other figures of the drawing. as also is the movable jaw 20 actuated by arm 2.- In Fig. 1 the tool is shown in proper relation to an electrical terminal 2 I, attached to an electrical apparatus 22, such as a relay. The tool has engaged therein a wire 23 which the tool is capable of attaching to terminal 2| as will be explained.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 in particular, the end of shaft I 2 which is housed in the forward pc'i'rtion l9 of the body I of the tool is formed as a some= what conical or countersunk surface 24. A hole oi bore 25 is provided along the axis of the shaft I2 and may be of any suitable length, such as to point 26 of Fig. 1. Such hole or bore 25 need not be exactly and symmetrically axial of the shaft I2. As long as the hole or bore 25 is substantially axial the tool will functien properly, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. The bore 25 should be of sufiicient diameter siich that it can accommodate freely a terminal, such as the wire terminal M of Fig. 1, or siieh as a flat terminal or far that matter any configuration of electrical terminal to which said wire is to be eonneted. A slot or groove 21 is cut in shaft It. the depth of which in the radial direction of said shaft IZis' not sufficient to connect same with bore 25. Fig. 5 the slot 21 is shown to near'n 'enter' the bore 25 and Fig. 6 the slot 21' is likewise illustrated as being radial and nearly entering bore 25. Of course the depth is arbitrary as is the direction of the depth of slot 21, it being perfectly feasible and practical to have the slot 21 ofiset from a radial position or in any other direction desired. The width of slot 21 is made approximately the same as the diameter of wire to be accommodated therein, as shown in Fig. 6. The leading edges 23 of the slot 21 are purposefully made sharp in order more efliciently to frictionally grip the skinned or bare end 29 of wire 23.

As previously mentioned, a stop pin I8 is provided on base ll) of frame 9 in order to determine the normal rotary position of shaft I2. This normal position is represented in Figs. 2 and 6 where the slot Z'I of shaft I2 communicates with a similar cut 32 in the top of the forward end IQ of body member I. This cut 30 is located at the bottom of a V groove 3I formed in the the forward end I9 to facilitate entry of bare wire 29 into slot 2? of shaft I2. The underside of the movable jaw 29 is constructed as a wedge 32 which is arranged to cooperate with the V groove SI as shown best in Fig. 6. A ridge 33 is provided' along the bottom of wedge 32 and this ridge 33 is intended to assist wire 29 in becoming accommodated in slot 2'! as shown by Fig. 6.

With wire 29 in slot 2's and movable jaw 20 in position as shown by Fig. 6, a lip 34 provides a securing means for wire 29 so that said wire cannot revolve with shaft I2. An alternate means of securing said wire against rotation is illustrated in Fig. 3 as a lug 35. Motion of arm 3 of the tool of Fig. 1 will move rack I6 which in turn will rotate shaft I2 by means of pinion I3. When the tool, in the normal condition shown in Fig. 6, is brought into operating position it will engage a terminal 2! in the bore 25 as shown by Fig. l and as indicated by arrow 38 of Fig. 2. When shaft I2 is at this time rotated in the direction of arrow 3i of Fig. 2, bare wire 29 will be dragged about terminal 2 I to form two or three tight turns (see 38 of Fig. 3). The end of bare wire 29, having been gripped by the sharp edges 28 of slot 21, has remained in slot 21 and the rest of wire 29 was dragged about terminal 2 I, this motion pulling the insulated wire 23 in the direction of arrow 39 of Fig. 3 to a position shown by Fig. 3.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated an enlargement of the pinion I3, set screw It, shaft I2, rack I6, base plate II] and upright I I. This figure provides, instead of upset end I of shaft I2 as in Fig. 1, a threaded end 48 for shaft I2, which threaded end 40 is in cooperation with suitable threads in the hole through upright II. This modification permits shaft I2 to be moved axially in the direction of arrows 4| as rack I5 is moved in the direction of arrows 42. This axial motion II of shaft I2 will insure that the turns 38 (see Fig. 3) of wire 29 will conform as nearly as possible to a helix about terminal 2| due to a recession of shaft I2 in the direction 43 (see Fig. 3) as wire 29 is dragged about terminal 2 I.

The modification of the construction of the operating end of shaft I2 shown in Fig. 8 is of a type contemplated by the scope of this invention. That is, the bore 25 may cooperate with a hole 44 equally as well as with such slots or grooves as 2! of the type of shaft as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 for instance. In case such a hole 44 is preferred the forward portion I9 of the body member I of the tool will preferably confine shaft I2 on all sides as shown in Fig. 8, instead of having a V groove opening on the top of the shaft I2 such as 3I of Fig. 2. Likewise the movable jaw of Fig. 1 would be unnecessary. The construction of Fig. 8 may be provided with a lug 35 similarly to the structure of Fig. 3 and for the same purpose. It of course would be necessary with the structure of Fig. 8, that the wire be inserted into hole 45 instead of being deposited in a slot or groove such as shown in Fig. 2. The terminal would still be accommodated by the axial bore 25 as with the other types and the action of the tool would be the same.

There are numerous embodiments of this invention other than the particular ones disclosed and since it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the particular disclosures set forth herein claims are appended which alone define the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with said body member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with an opening separated radially from said axial bore and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said opening adapted to have inserted therein one end of said wire, and arranged to position said one end of said wire substantially parallel to said axial bore and guiding means for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to secure the said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

2. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with said body member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a hole opening on the forward end of said shaft and separated radially from said axial bore and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said hole adapted to have inserted therein one end of said wire and arranged to position said one end of said wire substantially parallel to said axial bore, and guiding means for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to secure the said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

3. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with said body member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a circular hole opening on the forward end of said shaft and separated radially from said axial bore and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said circular hole adapted to have inserted therein one end of said wire and arranged to position said one end of said wire substantially parallel to said axial bore, and guiding means for said wire on;

the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to secure the said wire spirally about said one end of said ter-. n l.

4%. A. hand. tool; for; securing: wire: electric terminals" comprising a body membeuhousing; a. rotatable;- shaft thereim means associated. wan saidlbody memberlfor rotating said shafdthe for ward? portion: of. said shaft: having a. substantially axiali opening into which opening oneend; of; said: terminal may beinsertedg said forwardiportiomof" saidshaft being provided: with. a, groove opening; on the: surface: of: said. shaft and on the. forward: end of. said: shaft. and; extending. substantially" longitudinally of: said: shaft and: substantially parallel to: saidiaxiar openingsaidgoove adapted: toliaveinserted therein one endzof said wire,- and guiding means for said wire on; thefor-ward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft isv rotated tmsecure the said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

5 A hand tool for securing wirerto eleetricterminals comprising a body member housing a ro tatable shaft therein, means associated with said body member for rotating said: shaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular substantially axial boreinto which boreone endor said terminal niay be inserted, said forwardportion of' said shaft being provided with a groove opening on: the surface ofsaid' shaft and on: the forward endof said shaft and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore", said groove adapted to have inserted therein one end: of said wire. and": guiding means for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated: to secure the said wire spirally about said one: end of said terminal.

6. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member housing a, rotatable shaft therein, means associated with said body member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a, circular hole opening on the forward end of said shaft and separated radially from said axial bore and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said circular hole adapted to have inserted therein one end of said wire and arranged to position said one end of said wire substantially parallel to said axial bore, and guiding means for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of said hole and to drag said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

7. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with said body member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a groove opening on the surface of said shaft and on the forward end of said shaft and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said groove adapted to have inserted therein one end of said wire, and guiding means for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of said groove and to drag said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

forward end of sai'd: shaft; and extending swbs'tam tialiw longitudinally of said shaft and sub-stark tialiy parallel'toi said aidaf bore, saidgroove havifig a forward edge-and adapted to have inserted? therein one end. of: said wire,:and guida ing means for said wire oir theforward end, on

the body of said tool, said tool adapted when:v said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of the: sharp edge? of said. groove and to drag said wire spirally about saidv one: end. of said terminal;

9 A hand: tool for securing wire to el'ectrid terminals comprisin a body member housinga rotatable shafttherein, manually operable means for rotating saidshaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular' substantially axial here into: bore one end of said terminal", may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with: a circular hole openingon the forward of said shaft: and separatedradia yf'rorn' said axialbore and: extending. substanti'a longitudinally of said shaftand substaiitial ly parallel to said axial bore, said: circular hole having a sharp forward edge. and adapted to-have inserted therein one end of said who and. arranged to position said one end of said wire substantially parallel to said axial bore, and a lug on the forward end of the body of said tool for guiding said wire, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of the sharp edge of said circular hole and to drag said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

10. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member, an arm integral with said body member, a second arm pivoted to said body member, a shaft rotatable within said body member and accessible through a hole in the forward end of said body member, a pinion secured to said shaft, a, rack pivoted to said second arm and engageable with said pinion to rotate said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft provided with a substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a groove opening on the surface of said shaft at the forward end thereof and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said groove adapted to have inserted therein one end of said Wire, and guiding means for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated by the movement of said second arm to secure said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

11. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member having a slotted jaw, an arm attached to said body member, a second arm pivoted to said body member, a shaft rotatable within said body member and accessible through a hole in the forward end of said body member, :a pinion secured to said shaft, a rack pivoted to said second arm and engageable with said pinion to rotate said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft provided with a circular sub- 7 stantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a groove opening on the surface of said shaft at the forward end thereof and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said groove adapted to have inserted therein through the slot in said jaw one end of said wire, and a movable jaw pivoted to the forward end of the body of said tool to cooperate with said slotted jaw to guide said wire, said tool adapted when said, shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of said groove and to drag said wire spiral-1y about said one end of said terminal.

12. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a body member having a slotted jaw, an arm attached to said body member, a second arm pivoted to said body member, a shaft rotatable within said body member and accessible through a hole in the forward end of said body member, a pinion secured to said shaft, a rack pivoted to said second arm and engageable with said pinion to rotate said shaft, the forward portion of said shaft provided with a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft provided with a groove opening on the surface of said shaft and on the forward end of said shaft and extending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said groove having a sharp forward edge and adapted 8 to have inserted therein through the slot in said jaw one end of said wire, a movable jaw pivoted to the forward end of the body of said tool to cooperate with said slotted jaw to guide said wire, said tool adapted when said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of the sharp edge of said groove and to drag said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal, said shaft having a threaded portion on the rear end thereof which in cooperation with a mating threaded portion in said first arm imparts receding motion to said shaft when said shaft is rotated to thereby insure a helical spiral configuration to said secured wire.

HERMAN A. MILOCHE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 207,405 Eberhart Aug. 27, 1878 664,985 Valentine Jan. 1, 1901 669,351 Schindel Mar. 5, 1901 746,139 Overholt Dec. 8, 1903 951,454 Reichhelm Mar. 8, 1910 972,844 Friday Oct. 18, 1910 1,238,445 Scholl Aug. 28, 1917 1,249,898 Bush Dec. 11, 1917 1,253,782 Bryan Jan. 15, 1918 1,261,550 Kilmer Apr. 2, 1918 1,285,578 Anfindsen Nov. 26, 1918 1,891,664 Brenizer Dec. 20, 1932 2,032,415 Hirsch Mar. 3, 1936.

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