Electrical connector termination tool

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6604959
  • Patent Number
    6,604,959
  • Date Filed
    Monday, January 14, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 12, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors includes an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand and a first receiving member mounted in the outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within the outer body. A first wire guide slot is located at a first end of the outer body remote from the first receiving member. The first slot is aligned with the first receiving member to align wires located in the first slot with the electrical connector held by the first receiving member.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a tool for aiding in the termination of cable wires to an electrical connector. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tool having a receiving member that supports the electrical connector during termination of cable wires to the electrical connector.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Termination of cable wires or pairs to an electrical connector, such as a category five or category six jack, is conventionally accomplished by lacing the cable wires into termination or insulation displacement contact towers of the jack, placing the jack with the wires laced therein in the one of the operator's hand, and using a standard punch down tool to terminate the wires to the towers of the jack. The stuffer cap of the jack can then be placed over the termination towers and the jack installed in a wall or wall plate.




This conventional practice often results in injury to the operator when the punch down tool is misused or slips and the blades of the punch down tool injure the operator's hand. Additionally, the stuffer cap of the jack can be easily misplaced because the operator does not have a convenient place to store the cap during termination of the cable wires to the jack.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tool that allows the operator to safety terminate cable wires to an electrical connector.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that can accommodate a variety of electrical connectors.




Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that is ergonomically designed to fit to the operator's hand.




Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that can be used by either left or right handed operators.




The foregoing objects are basically attained by a tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors including an outer body that is configured to fit with an operator's hand and a first receiving member mounted in the outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within the outer body. A first wire guide slot is located at a first end of the outer body remote from the first receiving member, the first slot is aligned with the first receiving member to align wires located in the first slot with the electrical connector held by the first receiving member.




The foregoing objects are also attained by a tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, including an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand having a compartment disposed therein and an electrical connector received within the compartment of the outer body. A wire guide slot is located at an end of the outer body remote from the compartment, the slot receives wires and is aligned with the compartment thereby aligning the wires located in the slot with the electrical connector held by the compartment.




The foregoing objects are also attained by a tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, including an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand, the outer body includes a main support wall having an outer edge and a peripheral wall that extends from the outer edge thereby forming a receiving area therebetween. First and second compartments are mounted on the main support wall and in the receiving area of the outer body for releasably holding electrical connectors in place within the receiving area of the outer body. First and second wire guide slots are located at opposite ends of the outer body. The first slot is remote from and aligned with the first compartment to align wires located in the first slot with the electrical connector held by the first compartment. The second slot is remote from and aligned with the second compartment to align wires located in the second slot with the electrical connector held by the second compartment.




Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure:





FIG. 1

is a top perspective view of a tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing a first electrical connector and cable wires received in the tool in preparation for termination;





FIG. 2

is a top plan view of the tool illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a side elevational view of the tool illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a bottom plan view of the tool illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is an end elevational view in section of the tool taken along line


5





5


of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 6

is a partial, end elevational view in section of the tool taken along line


6





6


of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 7

is a partial, side elevational view in section of the tool taken along line


7





7


of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 8

is a partial, side elevational view in section of the tool taken along line


8





8


of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 9

is a partial, side elevational view in section of the tool illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing a second electrical connector held by the tool;





FIG. 10

is a partial, side elevational view in section of the tool illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing a cap of an electrical connector coupled to the tool; and





FIG. 11

is a partial, side elevational view in section of the tool illustrated in

FIG. 1

, showing the first electrical connector held by the tool.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to

FIGS. 1-11

, a tool


10


for terminating wires to an electrical connector


12


, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention generally includes an outer body or shell


14


that has at least one receiving member


16


disposed therein for supporting the electrical connector


12


. Tool


10


supports the electrical connector


12


when terminating cable wires


22


of cable C with the electrical connector


12


using a standard punch down tool (not shown). Tool


10


protects the operator's hand when using the punch down tool to terminate the wires


22


to electrical connector


12


.




Outer body


14


of tool


10


generally includes a main support wall


24


and a peripheral wall


26


extending from the outer edge of support wall


24


forming a receiving area


28


therebetween. Support wall


24


and peripheral wall


26


of outer body


14


are ergonomically designed and configured to fit within the operator's hand. Receiving member


16


is mounted on an inner surface


30


of support wall


24


, as seen in

FIGS. 1 and 8

. Two other receiving members


18


and


20


are also mounted on body support wall inner surface


30


and are aligned with receiving member


16


. Receiving member


18


holds another electrical connector


15


, as seen in

FIG. 9

, which is a different type of electrical connector than connector


12


. Receiving member


20


is the mirror image of receiving member


16


and holds the same type of electrical connector as connector


12


. Since receiving members


16


and


20


are disposed near opposite ends of tool


10


, an operator can select the more convenient receiving member between members


16


and


20


depending on whether the operator is left or right handed. Although three receiving members


16


,


18


,


20


are preferable, just one receiving member can be used.




Each receiving member


16


,


18


, and


20


forms a generally open faced compartment, as seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The receiving members


16


,


18


and


20


are aligned so that receiving member


18


is located between receiving members


16


and


20


with members


16


and


20


being substantially the same and the mirror images of each other on either side of receiving member


18


. Preferably, receiving member


16


is designed to hold an electrical connector


12


, such as a jack and particularly a category 6 type jack with contact towers oriented in a horizontal direction with respect to the nose of the jack, as seen in FIG.


11


. Likewise, receiving member


20


is designed to hold an electrical connector (not shown) similar to the electrical connector


12


held by receiving member


16


. Receiving member


18


, is designed to hold electrical connector


15


, preferably a category


5


jack with contact towers oriented in a vertical direction with respect to the nose of the jack, as seen in FIG.


9


. This allows tool


10


to support more than one type of electrical connector or jack.




Receiving members


16


,


18


, and


20


are each generally formed by four lateral upstanding spaced walls


32


,


34


,


36


, and


38


extending from outer body support wall


24


with walls


34


and


36


being located between walls


32


and


38


. In particular, receiving member


16


is defined between and by walls


32


and


34


, receiving member


18


is defined between and by walls


34


and


36


, and receiving member


20


is defined between and by walls


36


and


38


. Lateral walls


32


,


34


,


36


and


38


preferably extend from support wall


24


approximately half of the length of height or peripheral wall


26


from support wall


24


, as best seen in

FIGS. 1 and 8

. Also, lateral walls


32


,


34


,


36


and


38


are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis


40


of outer body


14


and preferably centrally disposed on support wall


24


. Additionally, lateral walls


32


,


34


,


36


and


38


extend for only a portion of the width of outer body


14


, defined between first and second sides


42


and


44


of outer body peripheral wall


26


, thereby leaving space between receiving members


16


,


18


and


20


and peripheral wall sides


42


and


44


, as seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

.




Longitudinal walls


46


and


48


extend substantially parallel to outer body longitudinal axis


40


and close off the sides of the lateral walls


32


,


34


,


36


and


38


of receiving members


16


,


18


and


20


, as seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. Each longitudinal wall


46


and


48


preferably extends substantially the entire length of outer body


14


, defined between first and second ends


50


and


52


of outer body


14


, and terminates at lateral walls


32


and


38


, respectively. A small space is preferably left between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


and each outer body end


50


and


52


, as best seen in

FIGS. 2 and 8

.




Receiving member


16


includes first and second continuous portions


56


and


58


that together receive electrical connector


12


, as best seen in

FIGS. 2

,


8


and


11


, forming a generally rectangular compartment. First portion


56


is generally larger in both length and width to accommodate a first section


60


of electrical connector


12


, such as the insulation displacement contact towers


63


and stuffer cap


64


of a jack, as seen in FIG.


11


. Second portion


58


is adapted to accommodate a second section


62


of electrical connector


12


, such as the head or input connection


66


of the jack, as seen in FIG.


11


.




First portion


56


is particularly defined by lateral wall


34


and support wall


24


extending between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


, with stuffer cap


64


of electrical connector first section


60


resting on support wall


24


. Lateral wall


34


includes first and second lips


68


and


70


which extend toward the opposite lateral wall


32


of receiving member


16


for engaging electrical connector first section


60


. Preferably, lips


68


and


70


abut the frame


72


of insulation displacement contact towers


63


of first section


60


, as best seen in FIG.


11


. Similarly, longitudinal walls


46


and


48


of receiving member


16


engage electrical connector


12


by abutting the sides of frame


72


.




Second portion


58


is particularly defined by lateral wall


32


and support wall


24


extending between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


. The electrical connector second section


62


rests on a ledge


74


formed in support wall


24


and lateral wall


32


, as seen in

FIGS. 8 and 11

, and extending between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


, as seen in FIG.


6


. Ledge


74


particularly includes a first step


76


extending from lateral wall


32


toward opposite lateral wall


34


and a second step


78


extending from first step


76


and down toward and meeting support wall


24


. First step


76


supports the head


66


of electrical connector


12


and the drop between first and second steps


76


and


78


provides a space for accommodating a clip


80


of electrical connector


12


, as seen in FIG.


11


.




Preferably, the compartment formed by lateral walls


32


and


34


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


of receiving member


16


releasably hold-electrical connector


12


by a frictional engagement by engaging the sides of the head


66


and frame


72


of connector


12


. However, electrical connector


12


can simply rest in compartment


16


without engaging the walls


32


,


34


,


46


and


48


.




Receiving member


18


is between receiving members


16


and


20


, holds electrical connector


15


, and forms a generally square compartment smaller than receiving member or compartment


16


. In particular, lateral walls


34


and


36


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


engage or abut the sides of the head or input connection


82


of the jack or electrical connector


15


to releasably hold electrical connector


15


. Top portions


84


and


86


of walls


34


and


36


taper outwardly to accommodate the head


82


of the jack including a clip


88


. Preferably, the compartment, formed by lateral walls


34


and


36


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


of receiving member


18


, is adapted to frictionally hold electrical connector


15


. However, electrical connector


15


can simply rest in receiving member


18


without engaging the walls


34


,


36


,


46


and


48


.




Receiving member


20


is substantially similar to member


16


and is the mirror image thereof. As with member


16


, member


20


includes first and second continuous portions


90


and


92


that together receive an electrical connector (not shown) similar to electrical connector


12


, forming a generally rectangular compartment. First and second portions


90


and


92


engage the electrical connector in the same manner as first and second portions


56


and


58


of member


16


engage electrical connector


12


and therefore will not be described.




First portion


90


is particularly defined by lateral wall


36


and support wall


24


extending between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


. Like lateral wall


34


, lateral wall


36


includes first and second lips


94


and


96


which extend toward the opposite lateral wall


38


of receiving member


20


for engaging a first section of the electrical connector in same manner as described above with respect to member


16


.




Second portion


92


is particularly defined by lateral wall


38


and support wall


24


extending between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


. A second section of the electrical connector rests on a ledge


100


formed in support wall


24


and lateral wall


38


, as seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, and extending between longitudinal walls


46


and


48


. Ledge


100


particularly includes a first step, similar to first step


76


of ledge


74


, that extends from lateral wall


38


toward opposite lateral wall


36


and a second step, similar to second step


78


of ledge


74


, that extends from the first step and down toward and meeting support wall


24


. The first and second steps of ledge


100


support the electrical connector in the same manner as described above regarding electrical connector


12


and first and second steps


76


and


78


of member


16


.




Preferably, the compartment formed by lateral walls


36


and


38


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


of receiving member or compartment


20


releasably hold the electrical connector by a frictional engagement. However, the electrical connector can simply rest in compartment


20


without engaging the walls


36


,


38


,


46


and


48


.




As seen in

FIGS. 1

,


2


,


6


,


8


,


10


and


11


, both receiving members


16


and


20


include a resilient tab


106


and


108


extending from support wall


24


for snapping engagement with the stuffer cap of each electrical connector held in receiving members


16


and


20


, respectively, as seen in

FIG. 10

(showing stuffer cap


64


of electrical connector


12


held in receiving member


16


). Tabs


106


and


108


of receiving members


16


and


20


provide the operator with a mechanism for securing the stuffer cap of the electrical connector supported by either member


16


or


20


to tool


10


once the stuffer cap has been removed from the electrical connector after termination of cable wires to the electrical connector. By securing the stuffer cap to tool


10


, the operator has a convenient place to store the stuffer cap until the stuffer cap is snapped onto the electrical connector after cable wires


22


have been terminated to the electrical connector.




For example, as seen in

FIG. 10

, once stuffer cap


64


is removed from electrical connector


12


, stuffer cap


64


is inverted with a main wall


110


of cap


64


resting on support wall


24


in receiving member


16


. A first end


112


of stuffer cap


64


abuts lateral wall


34


and a second end


114


engages tab


106


. Specifically, tab


106


snaps onto main wall


110


at the second end


110


of stuffer cap


64


. A hole


116


adjacent tab


106


allows insertion of a tool (not shown), such as a screw driver, to push up on main wall


110


and release stuffer cap


64


from engagement with tab


106


, as seen in

FIGS. 4 and 10

. Also a slot


118


disposed between lateral wall


34


and support wall


24


that receives extensions


120


that extend from stuffer cap main wall


110


, thereby allowing stuffer cap main wall


110


to be flush with support wall


24


, as seen in FIG.


10


.




Similarly, a stuffer cap of another electrical connector can be secured in receiving member


20


by tab


108


in the same manner as described above with respect to tab


106


and receiving member


16


. In particular, once the stuffer cap is removed from the electrical connector, stuffer cap


64


is inverted with the main wall of the cap resting on support wall


24


in receiving member


20


. A first end of the stuffer cap would abut lateral wall


36


and a second end would engage tab


108


. Specifically, tab


108


would snap onto the cap main wall at the second end thereof. A hole


122


, as seen in

FIG. 4

, adjacent tab


108


allows insertion of a tool (not shown), to push up on the cap main wall release the stuffer cap from engagement with tab


104


. Also a slot


124


disposed between lateral wall


36


and support wall


24


receives extensions that extend from the stuffer cap main wall, thereby allowing the stuffer cap main wall to be flush with support wall


24


.




As seen in

FIGS. 1 and 6

, first and second wire guide slots


126


and


128


are disposed in outer body peripheral wall


26


at first and second ends


50


and


52


, respectively, for receiving and supporting cable wires. Both wire guide slots


126


and


128


are aligned with receiving members


16


,


18


, and


20


, thereby aligning wires with an electrical connector received in one of members


16


,


18


and


20


. For example, first wire guide slot


126


supports and aligns cable wires


22


with receiving member


16


, thereby facilitating alignment and termination of cable wires


22


with electrical connector


12


held in receiving member


16


, as best seen in FIG.


1


. Likewise, second wire guide slot


128


supports and aligns cable wires for termination with an electrical connector held in receiving member


20


. Regarding electrical connector


15


held in receiving member


18


, either wire guide slot


126


and


128


can be used to support and align cable wires with electrical connector


15


. Also, each wire guide slot


126


and


128


includes an extension arm


130


and


132


, respectively, for securing the cable wires in place in each wire guide slot


126


and


128


.




Receiving members


16


and


20


each include third and fourth wire guide slots


134


and


136


corresponding to second and first wire guide slots


128


and


126


, as best seen in

FIGS. 1 and 6

. In particular, outer lateral wall


32


of receiving member


16


includes third wire guide slot


134


that is aligned with second wire guide slot


128


disposed in second end


52


, and outer lateral wall


38


of receiving member


20


includes fourth wire guide slot


136


that is aligned with first wire guide slot


126


. For example, cable wires


22


are supported by first wire guide slot


126


in outer body first end


50


and by fourth wire guide slot


36


in lateral wall


38


of receiving member


20


to align cable wires


22


with electrical connector


12


held in receiving member


16


. Similarly, cable wires are supported by second wire guide slot


128


in outer body second end


52


and third wire guide slot


134


in lateral wall


32


of receiving member


16


to align the cable wires with an electrical connector held in receiving member


20


.




To facilitate gripping of tool


10


, gripping indentations


142


are disposed in first side


42


of outer body peripheral wall


26


, as seen in

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


4


. The second side


44


opposite side


42


is generally flat at a middle portion


144


and rounded at each corner


146


providing an ergonomic fit for the operator's hand. Gripping indentations


142


particularly include generally four concave surfaces


148


adapted to accommodate the fingers of the operator, as seen in FIG.


7


. Additionally, texturing (not shown) on the outer surface of peripheral wall can be added to provide another gripping surface for the operator when using tool


10


. Also, strap openings


150


and


152


can be provided in peripheral wall


26


near each end


50


and


52


, respectively, as best seen in

FIG. 4

, for receiving a strap (not shown) allowing an operator's hand to fit between the strap and tool


10


to provide an additional mechanism for the operator to hold tool


10


. Additionally, openings


154


and


156


disposed near strap opening


150


and


152


in peripheral wall


26


having extension members


158


and


160


extending across each opening


150


and


152


for hooking a strap (not shown) or a lanyard (not shown) to tool


10


via extension members


158


and


160


allowing tool


10


to be connected to a structure such as the operator's tool belt.




As seen in

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


7


, four sets of support ribs


162


,


164


,


166


and


168


extend along outer body support wall


24


to strengthen outer body


14


. Each set of support ribs


162


,


164


,


166


and


168


are spaced from one another, are generally perpendicular to outer body longitudinal axis


40


, and extend between first and second sides


42


and


44


of peripheral wall


26


. First and fourth sets of support ribs


162


and


168


are located near outer body first and second ends


50


and


52


, respectively. Second and third sets of ribs


164


and


166


are located between first and fourth sets of ribs


162


and


168


and are generally aligned with middle lateral walls


34


and


36


. Each set of support ribs


162


,


164


,


166


and


168


includes two ribs


170


and


172


extending from longitudinal walls


46


and


48


, respectively, towards peripheral wall sides


42


and


44


, respectively. Ribs


170


and


172


extend upwardly from support wall


24


for at least half of the height of longitudinal walls


46


and


48


, as best seen in

FIG. 7

(showing ribs


172


only).




Support wall


24


additionally includes mounting holes


174


for receiving fasteners to mount tool


10


to a support structure (not shown), such as a relay rack, for terminating cable wires to the electrical connectors instead of supporting tool


10


in the operators hand. Preferably, six mounting holes


174


are disposed in support wall


24


with three mounting holes


174


being located between longitudinal wall


46


and peripheral wall first side


42


and the other three mounting holes


174


being located between longitudinal wall


48


and peripheral wall second side


44


, as best seen in

FIG. 2. A

cover (not shown) can be provided on outer body


14


to enclose fasteners or the like within receiving area


28


of outer body


14


.




Tool


10


is preferably formed of a plastic material and molded as a unitary one-piece member. However, the components of tool


10


can be formed separately and integrally attached by any known attachment.




Assembly and Operation




Referring to

FIGS. 1-11

, operation of tool


10


generally involves the operator holding tool


10


in the operator's hand, placing an electrical connector within tool


10


, and terminating cable wires to the electrical connector with a punch down tool, using tool


10


to support the electrical connector during termination instead of the operator's hand.




Tool


10


fits in the operator's hand allowing the operator to easily grab tool


10


with support wall


24


fitting in the base or palm of the operator's hand and the operator's fingers grabbing gripping indentations


142


. An electrical connector can be placed in one of the tool receiving members


16


,


18


and


20


in preparation for termination. For example, electrical connector


12


is placed in receiving member


16


by inserting first section


60


of electrical connector


12


into first portion


56


of receiving member


16


and second section


62


into second portion


58


so that the stuffer cap


64


rests on support wall


24


and the


66


head rests on first step


76


of ledge


74


so that electrical connector


12


is generally secured within receiving member


16


via a frictional fit with lateral walls


32


and


34


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


.




A cable C is placed within first wire guide slot


126


disposed in outer body first end


50


and corresponding fourth wire guide slot


136


disposed in lateral wall


38


of receiving member


20


. Cable wires or pairs


22


are then fanned out to the appropriate wiring configuration for tower lacing, and laced into towers


63


of electrical connector


12


, as is well known in the art. A standard punch down tool is held perpendicular to electrical connector


12


and terminates or connects the laced cable wires


22


to towers


63


, as is well known in the art. Once termination is complete, electrical connector


12


is removed from receiving member


16


, and stuffer cap


64


is removed from electrical connector


12


and snapped onto towers


63


. By using tool


10


, the operator reduces the potential for injury caused by misuse or slipping of the punch down tool.




Similarly, an electrical connector can be placed in receiving member


20


in the same manner as described above with respect to electrical connector and receiving member


16


. In particular, the electrical connector is placed in receiving member


20


by inserting the first section of the electrical connector into first portion


90


of receiving member


20


and the second section into second portion


92


so that the stuffer cap rests on support wall


24


and the


66


head rests on the first step of ledge


100


so that electrical connector is generally secured within receiving member


20


via a frictional fit with lateral walls


36


and


36


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


.




A cable can then be placed within second wire guide slot


128


disposed in outer body second end


50


and corresponding third wire guide slot


134


disposed in lateral wall


32


of receiving member


16


. Cable wires or pairs are then laced into towers of the electrical connector, as describe with respect to electrical connector


12


. A standard punch down tool is held perpendicular to the electrical connector and terminates or connects the laced cable wires the towers of the electrical connectors. Once termination is complete, the electrical connector is removed from receiving member


20


, and the stuffer cap is removed from the electrical connector and snapped onto the electrical connector.




Additionally, electrical connector


15


can be placed in receiving member


18


by inserting the head


82


of connector


15


, including clip


80


, within the compartment formed by lateral walls


34


and


36


and longitudinal walls


46


and


48


of receiving member


18


forming a frictional fit therewith. A cable can then be placed within either first or second wire guide slots


126


and


128


disposed in outer body ends


50


and


52


, and within their respective corresponding fourth and third wire guide slots


136


and


134


disposed in lateral walls


38


and


32


. Cable wires or pairs are then terminated to electrical connector in the same manner as describe above with respect to electrical connector


12


.




As seen in

FIG. 10

, if the operator needs a convenient place to store the stuffer cap


64


of electrical connector


12


or the stuffer cap of the connector held by receiving member


20


until the cap can be snapped onto the towers of the connector, such as towers


63


of electrical connector


12


, after termination, the stuffer cap is inverted and snapped onto either tab


106


of receiving member


16


or tab


108


of receiving member


20


. For example, stuffer cap


64


of connector


12


is inverted and placed within first portion


56


of receiving member


16


and snapped onto tab


106


. To remove stuffer cap


64


, a tool, such as a screw driver is inserted through hole


116


adjacent tab


106


which pushes on stuffer cap


64


to release cap


64


from tap


106


. Similarly, a stuffer cap can also be coupled to tab


108


of receiving member


20


in the same manner as described above.




As an alternative to holding tool


10


via the operator's hand, tool


10


can be mounted to a support structure, such as a relay rack. In particular, fasteners can be inserted through mounting holes


174


and into holes of the support structure, thereby mounting tool


10


to the support structure. Tool


10


is preferably mounted so that longitudinal axis


40


of outer body


14


is generally horizontal. Electrical connector


12


can then placed in receiving member


16


and cable wires


22


terminated thereto, in the same manner as described above.




While a particular embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand, and including first and second walls spaced from a peripheral wall; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body and defined between said first and second walls for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; and a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first receiving member to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member.
  • 2. A tool according to claim 1, whereina second receiving member is aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body.
  • 3. A tool according to claim 2, whereina second wire guide slot is located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot is aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member.
  • 4. A tool according to claim 3, whereinsaid first and second receiving members include third and fourth wire guide slots, respectively; said third wire guide slot cooperating with said second wire guide slot to align wires located in the second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member; and said fourth wire guide slot cooperating with said first wire guide slot to align wires located in the first slot with the electrical connector held by the first receiving member.
  • 5. A tool according to claim 3, whereina third receiving member is disposed between said first and second receiving members for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body.
  • 6. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid first and second walls frictionally engage the electrical connector received therein.
  • 7. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid first receiving member defines a compartment that holds the electrical connector and includes a ledge therein for supporting the electrical connector.
  • 8. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid first receiving member includes a resilient tab adapted to engage a portion of the electrical connector by a snapping engagement.
  • 9. A tool according to claim 8, whereinsaid tab is unitary with said outer body.
  • 10. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid outer body includes a peripheral wall having gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 11. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid outer body includes a second end opposite said first end; and each of said first and second ends, respectively, includes a strap opening for receiving a strap.
  • 12. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid outer body includes a main support wall; said first receiving member is disposed on said support wall; and a plurality of mounting openings are disposed in said main support wall for mounting said outer body to a support structure.
  • 13. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand having a compartment disposed therein and spaced from a peripheral wall of said outer body; an electrical connector received within said compartment of said outer body; and a wire guide slot located at an end of said outer body remote from said compartment, said slot receiving wires and being aligned with said compartment thereby aligning said wires located in said slot with said electrical connector held by said compartment.
  • 14. A tool according to claim 13, whereinsaid compartment includes at least first and second walls that frictionally engage said electrical connector.
  • 15. A tool according to claim 14, whereinsaid outer body includes a peripheral wall having gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 16. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising;an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand, said outer body including a main support wall having an outer edge and a peripheral wall extending from said outer edge forming a receiving area therebetween; first and second compartments mounted on said main support wall and in said receiving area of said outer body for releasably holding electrical connectors in place within said receiving area of said outer body with at least one wall dividing said first and second compartments; and first and second wire guide slots located at opposite ends of said outer body, said first slot being remote from and aligned with said first compartment to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by the first compartment, and said second slot being remote from and aligned with said second compartment to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second compartment.
  • 17. A tool according to claim 16, whereina third compartment is disposed between said first and second compartments for releasably holding an electrical connector; and said first and second slots being aligned with said third compartment for aligning wires held in either of said first and second slots with the electrical connector held by said third compartment.
  • 18. A tool according to claim 17, whereineach of said first, second, and third compartments, respectively, include at least first and second walls forming a friction fit with the electrical connectors held by said first, second, and third compartments, respectively.
  • 19. A tool according to claim 16, whereina plurality of mounting openings are disposed in said main support wall for mounting said outer body to a support structure.
  • 20. A tool according to claim 16, whereinsaid peripheral wall includes gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 21. A tool according to claim 16, whereinsaid outer body is formed as a unitary one-piece member.
  • 22. A tool according to claim 16, whereinsaid peripheral wall of said outer body extends substantially perpendicularly from said main support wall to protect the operator's hand from injury.
  • 23. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body for releasably holding at least one electrical connector in place within said outer body; a second receiving member aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding at least one electrical connector in place within said outer body; and a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first and second receiving members.
  • 24. A tool according to claim 23, whereina second wire guide slot is located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot being aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member.
  • 25. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; a second receiving member aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first receiving member to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member; a second wire guide slot located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot being aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member; a third wire guide slot cooperating with said second wire guide slot to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by said second receiving member; and a fourth wire guide slot cooperating with said first wire guide slot to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member.
  • 26. A tool according to claim 25, whereina third receiving member is disposed between said first and second receiving members for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body.
  • 27. A tool according to claim 25, whereinsaid first receiving member includes first and second walls that frictionally engage the electrical connector received therein.
  • 28. A tool according to claim 25, whereinsaid first receiving member defines a compartment that holds the electrical connector and includes a ledge therein for supporting the electrical connector.
  • 29. A tool according to claim 25, whereinsaid outer body includes a peripheral wall having gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 30. A tool according to claim 25, whereinsaid outer body includes a second end opposite said first end; and each of said first and second ends, respectively, includes a strap opening for receiving a strap.
  • 31. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; a second receiving member aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; a third receiving member disposed between said first and second receiving members for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first receiving member to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member; and a second wire guide slot located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot being aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member.
  • 32. A tool according to claim 31, whereinsaid first receiving member includes first and second walls that frictionally engage the electrical connector received therein.
  • 33. A tool according to claim 31, whereinsaid first receiving member defines a compartment that holds the electrical connector and includes a ledge therein for supporting the electrical connector.
  • 34. A tool according to claim 31, whereinsaid outer body includes a peripheral wall having gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 35. A tool according to claim 31, whereinsaid outer body includes a second end opposite said first end; and each of said first and second ends, respectively, includes a strap opening for receiving a strap.
  • 36. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body and defining a compartment that holds the electrical connector including a ledge therein for supporting the electrical connector; and a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first receiving member to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member.
  • 37. A tool according to claim 36, whereina second receiving member is aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body.
  • 38. A tool according to claim 37, whereina second wire guide slot is located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot being aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member.
  • 39. A tool according to claim 36, whereinsaid first receiving member includes first and second walls that frictionally engage the electrical connector received therein.
  • 40. A tool according to claim 36, whereinsaid outer body includes a peripheral wall having gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 41. A tool according to claim 36, whereinsaid outer body includes a second end opposite said first end; and each of said first and second ends, respectively, includes a strap opening for receiving a strap.
  • 42. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand and including a peripheral wall having gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; and a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first receiving member to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member.
  • 43. A tool according to claim 42, whereina second receiving member is aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body.
  • 44. A tool according to claim 43, whereina second wire guide slot is located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot is aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member.
  • 45. A tool according to claim 42, whereinsaid first receiving member includes first and second walls that frictionally engage the electrical connector received therein.
  • 46. A tool according to claim 42, whereinsaid outer body includes a second end opposite said first end; and each of said first and second ends, respectively, includes a strap opening for receiving a strap.
  • 47. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand and including first and second opposite ends; a first receiving member mounted in said outer body for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body; a first wire guide slot located at a first end of said outer body remote from said first receiving member, said first slot being aligned with said first receiving member to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by said first receiving member; and a strap opening at each of said first and second ends, respectively, of said outer body for receiving a strap.
  • 48. A tool according to claim 47, whereina second receiving member is aligned with said first receiving member for releasably holding an electrical connector in place within said outer body.
  • 49. A tool according to claim 48, whereina second wire guide slot is located at a second end of said outer body remote from said second receiving member, said second slot being aligned with said second receiving member to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second receiving member.
  • 50. A tool according to claim 47, whereinsaid first receiving member includes first and second walls that frictionally engage the electrical connector received therein.
  • 51. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising:an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand having a compartment disposed therein with first and second walls, and a peripheral wall with gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body; an electrical connector received within said compartment of said outer body with said first and second walls frictionally engaging said electrical connector; and a wire guide slot located at an end of said outer body remote from said compartment, said slot receiving wires and being aligned with said compartment thereby aligning said wires located in said slot with said electrical connector held by said compartment.
  • 52. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising;an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand, said outer body including a main support wall having an outer edge and a peripheral wall extending from said outer edge forming a receiving area therebetween; first and second compartments mounted on said main support wall and in said receiving area of said outer body for releasably holding electrical connectors in place within said receiving area of said outer body; a third compartment disposed between said first and second compartments for releasably holding an electrical connector; and first and second wire guide slots located at opposite ends of said outer body, said first slot being remote from and aligned with said first compartment to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by the first compartment, said second slot being remote from and aligned with said second compartment to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second compartment, and said first and second slots being aligned with said third compartment for aligning wires held in either of said first and second slots with the electrical connector held by said third compartment.
  • 53. A tool according to claim 52, whereineach of said first, second, and third compartments, respectively, include at least first and second walls forming a friction fit with the electrical connectors held by said first, second, and third compartments, respectively.
  • 54. A tool according to claim 52, whereinsaid peripheral wall includes gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body.
  • 55. A tool for terminating wires to electrical connectors, comprising;an outer body configured to fit with an operator's hand, said outer body including a main support wall having an outer edge and a peripheral wall extending from said outer edge forming a receiving area therebetween and gripping indentations for accommodating fingers of the operator's hand thereby facilitating gripping of said outer body; first and second compartments mounted on said main support wall and in said receiving area of said outer body for releasably holding electrical connectors in place within said receiving area of said outer body; and first and second wire guide slots located at opposite ends of said outer body, said first slot being remote from and aligned with said first compartment to align wires located in said first slot with the electrical connector held by the first compartment, and said second slot being remote from and aligned with said second compartment to align wires located in said second slot with the electrical connector held by the second compartment.
  • 56. A tool according to claim 55, whereina third compartment is disposed between said first and second compartments for releasably holding an electrical connector; each of said first, second, and third compartments, respectively, include at least first and second walls forming a friction fit with the electrical connectors held by said first, second, and third compartments, respectively; and said first and second slots are aligned with said third compartment for aligning wires held in either of said first and second slots with the electrical connector held by said third compartment.
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2647424 Gordon Aug 1953 A
2960953 Schneider Nov 1960 A
3598900 Drake Aug 1971 A
3617612 Patton Nov 1971 A
3640519 Halstead Feb 1972 A
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4449015 Hotchkiss et al. May 1984 A
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