Patent · US Expired

Tool for aligning a ribbon cable to a connector

US6108904A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
9References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 3, 1997
Grant dateAug 29, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/53235
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An alignment tool (44) is disclosed for aligning the conductors of a ribbon cable (12) to insulation displacement contacts (162, 168, 172) of a connector (16, 18, 14) during termination of the connector to the cable. The tool includes a body (46) having a fluted cable guiding surface (72, 74) and first and second connector receiving cutouts (66, 68) on opposite sides of the guide surface. A retaining plate (112) is hingedly attached to the body (46) and is arranged to releasable hold the ribbon cable (12) in located engagement with the fluted guide surface (72, 74). The retaining plate (112) enables the ribbon cable (12) to move longitudinally to position it for termination of a connector (14, 16, 18) without loosening the retaining plate (112) and without disturbing the alignment of the ribbon cable.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.