US3842483A - Method and apparatus for mounting a sleeve on a combined ferrule and electrical conductor - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mounting a pliable molded sleeve on a combined ferrule and electrical conductor forming an ignition wire for internal combustion engines having a feeding device for depositing a sleeve in a cradle in alignment with a spindle which impales the sleeve. The spindle is provided with a shoulder that pushes the sleeve toward a conductor on the end of which a ferrule has been mounted. The combined conductor and ferrule are held by a plurality of pairs of swinging gates. As the spindle impales the ferrule, compressed air is directed to pass through the sleeve causing it to expand and slide over the ferrule. As the sleeve engages each of the pairs of swinging gates, the gates swing out of the path of the sleeve to permit the sleeve to be properly fitted over the combined conductor and ferrule.

Description

iii tates Patent [191 Cranmer METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A SLEEVE ON A COMBINED FERRULE AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR Primary ExaminerRichard J. Herbst Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Salvatore G. Militana [5 7] STRACT A method and apparatus for mounting a pliable molded sleeve on a combined ferrule and electrical conductor forming an ignition wire for internal combustion engines having a feeding device for depositing a sleeve in a cradle in alignment with a spindle which impales the sleeve. The spindle is provided with a shoulder that pushes the sleeve toward a conductor on the end of which a ferrule has been mounted. The combined conductor and ferrule are held by a plurality of pairs of swinging gates. As the spindle impales the ferrule, compressed air is directed to-pass through the sleeve causing it to expand and slide over the ferrule. As the sleeve engages each of the pairs of swing ing gates, the gates swing out of the path of the sleeve to permit the sleeve to be properly fitted over the combined conductor and ferrule.

5 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures SHEET 3% 5 WOC NOE

PAIENIED 021221914 sum sup 5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A SLEEVE ON A COMBINED FERRULE AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is particularly directed to the method and apparatus for mounting a molded sleeve on an insulated conductor that has a metal ferrule attached thereto.

2. Description of the Prior Art The present automatic machines for mounting a molded sleeve on an ignition wire for automobiles have a weakness that prevents the continuous operation thereof without having to stop because. of malfunctioning. All of these machines utilize a clamp or gripping apparatus for maintaining the combined conductor and ferrule secured against movement and in alignment with the sleeve carrying spindle. Hosever, at the moment the sleeve has begun to slide over the end of the ferrule, the clamp or gripping apparatus releases itself from the combined conductor and ferrule. Since the conductor is extremely pliable, and the molded sleeve can only be expanded by air pressure very slightly, upon sliding over the ferrule, the conductor, now lying loosely, will buckle and prevent the sleeve from being slid properly in place completely covering the ferrule and partially over the insulated conductor. This results in a malfunctioning of the machine and the producing of non-acceptable ignition wires. The present device contemplates avoiding the above indicated malfunctioning of the apparatus in the production of ignition wires by providing a gate-type clamping or gripping device which grips and holds the ferrule and conductor at all times during the complete cycle of operation during the mounting of the sleeve on the combined conductor and ferrule and also during the withdrawal of the spindle from the ferrule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a principle object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for mounting a sleeve or a combined conductor and ferrule in the manufacture of an ignition wire for automotive vehicles wherein the molded sleeves are placed in a proper fashion on the ferrule and conductor by the use of swinging gate devices for gripping the ferrule and conductor as the sleeve is slid into place thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gripping device for holding the combined conductor and ferrule as the molded sleeve is slid in place thereover and also holds the sleeve in place while the spindle is being withdrawn during the cycle of operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the production of ignition wire by gripping a combined conductor and ferrule in alignment with a spindle which has impaled a molded sleeve to slide it in position over the combined ferrule and conductor without causing the combined conductor and ferrule from being released.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of pairs of swinging gates mounted on a clamping device which grip a combined conductor and ferrule in the production of'ignition wires and upon the sliding of a molded sleeve thereover, each pair of gate will swing away from the ferrule and conductor and engage the sleeve so that at all times the combined conductor and ferrule is held in its proper position at all times during the complete cycle of operation of the apparatus.

With these and other objects in view, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my apparatus for mounting a molded sleeve over a metal ferrule secured to the end portion of an electrical conductor.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cross sectional views taken along thelines 2--2, 3-3 4-4, 5-5 and 66 respectively of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the manner of positioning the molded sleeves in place prior to being impaled onto the conductor.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10-18 inclusive are diagrammatic views of the operating mechanism showing the position of various elements in the sequential steps of mounting the sleeve on the combined ferrule and electrical conductor.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, thenumber 10 refers to my apparatus for mounting a sleeve 11 on anelectrical conductor 12 to the end of which ametal ferrule 13 had been previously affixed to produce an ignition wire for use in an automobile engine. Myapparatus 10 consists of various sections A, B, C and D, each producing a distinct and different function indicated as follows: Section A feeds the combinedconductor 12 andferrule 13 to theapparatus 10. Section B grips theferrule 13 and theconductor 12 during the mounting of the sleeve 11 by theapparatus 10. Section C delivers the deposits the sleeves 11 in proper position to be mounted over the end of theconductor 12 to completely enshroud themetal ferrule 13 and section D causes the sleeves 11 to be slid into position on theconductor 12.

Section A as shown by FIG. 1 is nothing more than a feeder and support for the'combined electrical conductors l2 andferrules 13 consisting of a table 15 on which a row of combined conductors l2 andferrules 13 is positioned with theconductor 12 being engaged by the gripping mechanism B as is explained in detail hereinafter. The feeding of the combinedconductor 12 andferrule 13 may be done manually or automatically as by a conveyor, this structure forming no part of the present invention. As the combinedconductors 12 andferrules 13 move alongthesupport 15, theferrule portion 13 passes directly below apipe 16 that discharges a lubricant onto themetal ferrules 13, the excess lubricant being collected in a pan 17-mounted below thepipe 16 and pumped back to thedischarge pipe 16 by way of areturn pipe 18. (shown only in part).

The various elements of my apparatus are supported by a frame consisting of abase plate 19 on whichposts 26 and 21 are mounted in spaced relation to each other joined at their top portion by anelongated frame member 24. Secured to theposts 20 and 21 are horizontally disposedrods 22 that extend beyond thepost 21 to support an L-shaped post 23 of the gripping mechanism B whose function is to hold the combined conductor andferrule 12, T3 at the position of and adjacent to theferrule 13 as the sleeve 11 is slid thereon.

This holding function is accomplished by a pair of oppositely positioned jaw members and a plurality of pairs of oppositely positioned swinginggates 36, all of which are so mounted as to swing to and away from each other simultaneously about rods orpivot pins 27.Pivot pins 27 are pivotally supported and mounted in openings formed in the L-shaped post 23. Thepivot pins 27 are received through bores in jaw andgate support members 26 and in a pair ofcranks 28 and 29 which are fastened to thesupport members 26 for simultaneous pivotal movement therewith. Thecranks 28 and 29 also pivot simultaneously by virtue of alink 84 being pivotally connected to thecranks 28 and 29 as at 311. The lower ends of thecranks 28 and 29 are provided with theconductor engaging members 30 that havesemi-circular grooves 85 opposite each other to engage theconductor 12 when thecranks 28 and 29 are brought together. Thearm 32 of thecrank 28 is connected as at 34 to the end of apiston rod 33 which extends to acylinder 34 and connected to a piston (not shown) within thecylinder 34. Hoses permit air under pressure to flow into and out of thecylinder 34 on either side of the piston to compel thecranks 28 and 29 to swing towards and away from each other when theconductor 12 is being gripped and released respectively.

Each of thesupport members 26 are provided with a plurality of vertically disposed bores through whichspindles 37 extend and on the lower end of which are mounted thegates 36. Thegates 36 are provided with a notchedportion 38 for engaging theferrule 13. One of thegates 36 is provided with an extendedtip portion 37 in order to lift to its proper position a ferrule andconductor member 13, 112 that may have sagged slightly from the horizontal because of its weight and lack of support at that portion of theconductor 12. A coil spring 46) mounted on each of thespindles 37 yieldingly urge the rotation of thespindles 37 and the swinging of thegates 36 in the direction away of thejaw members 30. A combination of apin 41 secured to the top end of thespindle 37 and astop member 42 mounted on the top surface of thesupport member 26 prevents the swinging of thegates 36 beyond a positionnormal (right angle) to the combinedconductor 12 and ferrule T2. Thegates 36 are free to swing in a direction of thejaws 36, 30 when an appropriate force is applied thereto as is explained hereinafter.

The mechanism C for feeding sleeves 11 in my apparatus it) is supported by asupport member 25 secured by bolts to thepost 21 and consists of an inclinedtubular member 43 in which the sleeves 11 are placed and permitted to slide to its free end which is positioned adjacent to a sleeve receiving and rotatingfeeder 44. The rotatingfeeder 44 that is mounted for rotational move ment about aspindle 45, is provided with a plurality of open slots orpockets 46 shaped and sized to receive and contain a sleeve ll as the latter slides from thetube 43 into theparticular slot 46 that is then positioned in alignment therewith. Asheath 47 which extends approximately half way around the rotatingfeeder 44 is secured as at 48 to thesupport 25 prevents the sleeves H from falling out of the rotatingfeeder 44 until theslot 46 in the rotatingfeeder 44 is in its lowermost position in alignment with acradle 49. Thecradle 49 is also secured to the post 211. Means for rotating thefeeder 44 is provided consisting of aratchet disc 149 rotatably mounted in thespindle 45 in frictional engagement with thefeeder 44 by means of thefriction shoe 50 interposed therebetween. An adjustable spring mounted on the end of thespindle 45 and held in place between anut 61 and atab 62 secured to thesupport arm 25 maintain theratchet disc 149 in tight frictional engagement with thefeeder 44. Theratchet disc 149 is provided with a plurality of symmetrically disposed notches Sll that are engaged by apawl 52 for rotating thefeeder 44. Thepawl 52 is pivoted as at 53 to asupport member 54 which is rotatably mounted on thespindle 45. Thesupport member 54 is bifurcated as at 55, receiving apin 56 upon which the free end of apiston rod 57 is pivotally mounted. Thepiston rod 57 extends to acylinder 58 and connected to a piston (not shown) within thecylinder 58. Hoses connected to thecylinder 58 permit fluid under pressure to flow in and out of thecylinder 58 on both sides of the piston to compel thepiston rod 57 to slide in reciprocating fashion and thesupport member 54 to rotate carrying with it thepawl 52. Acoil spring 59 is fastened at one end to the top portion of thepawl 52 and at its other end to base of thesupport member 54 thereby urging thepawl 52 to maintain itself in contact relation with the outer surface of theratchet disk 149 at the position thenotches 51. The free end of thecylinder 58 is pivotally secured as at 63 to the top portion of thesupport arm 25.

The sleeve mounting mechanism D is supported by asupport bar 64 that is slidably mounted on theslide rods 22. To permit for a smooth sliding movement along theslide rods 22, thesupport bar 64 is joined as byspacers 65 to asecond bar 66 slidably mounted on therods 22. Movement of the support bar back and forth along theslide rods 22 is effected by acylinder 67 that is attached to thepost 26 and having the free end of apiston rod 68 secured bynuts 69 to thesupport bar 64. The inner end of thepiston rod 68 is provided with a piston (not shown) whose movement is controlled by air under pressure passing through thehoses 70 and 71 mounted at each end of thecylinder 67. At the lowermost portion of thesupport bar 64 there is mounted acylinder 72 in which aspindle 73 extends along the full length of thecylinder 72 and beyond the forward end thereof through anopening 74 in thecylinder 72. Thespindle 73 is provided with anenlarged portion 75 that forms a shoulder forcoil springs 76 and 77.Coil spring 76 extends between theshoulder 75 and the forward end portion of thecylinder 72 while thecoil spring 77 extends between theshoulder 75 and awasher 78 at the rear end of thecylinder 72 held in position by atubular member 79 threaded into thecylinder 72. Thecylinder 72 provides achamber 83 in which thespindle 73 slides back and forth. Along that portion of thespindle 73 forward of theshoulder portion 75 there is a plurality of longitudinally disposed grooves 86 formed thereon to permit the escape of air under pressure that enters thecylinder 72 by way of aninlet pipe 81 connected at a threadedopening 82 in thecylinder 72.

The step by step operation of my apparatus is illustrated by FIGS. 10 to. 18 inclusive showing the manner in which the sleeve Ill is mounted on the combined conductor and ferrule I2, 13 from placing of the latter and the sleeve 11 in their proper positions to the final step of releasing the finished product by the gripping mechanism B.

In the above description of the various sections A, B, C, and D there has been no showing or description of the automatic interconnecting devices that permit one section to operate in timing sequence with the other sections so that the entire operation of myapparatus 10 is automatic requiring no manual operation. For example, the combined conductors and ferrules I2, 13 are shown in FIG. 2 as lying in a row on a table 15 to be fed to the jaw members of the gripping mechanism B. As shown herein, this is done manually; however, applicants model of this apparatus feeds the combined conductors and ferrules l2, l3 automatically as it removes the completed ignition wire from the jaw members 3f).

In the normal operation of my apparatus lltl thechute 43 will be filled with molded sleeves 11, two of the fourslots 46 in therotary feeder 44 will contain a sleeve III while thebottommost slot 46 and the one adjacent to it will be void of a sleeve 11. The sleeve 11 that had previously reposed in thebottommost slot 46 will be lying in thecradle 49. As shown by FIG. 2, a row of combined conductors and ferrules l2, 13 will be found on the table I5 and as they pass below the pipe I6 receive a shot of lubricant on the ferrule portion thereof. A combined conductor andferrule 12, 13 will be placed between thejaws 30, 30 which are open at this time to their dotted line position as shown by FIG. 2 and illustrated by FIG. 10.

At this time, air under pressure is permitted to enter thecylinder 34 through the upper pipe to cause thepiston rod 32 to slide downwardly and thecranks 28 and 29 to close thejaws 30 onto aconductor 12. At the same time thegates 36 engage theferrule 13 as shown by FIG. llll so that the combine conductor andferrule 12, I3 will be held firmly in alignment with thespindle 73 and sleeve llll resting in thecradle 49.

Now, air under pressure will be permitted to pass through thepipe 70 and into thecylinder 67 to cause thepiston rod 68 to slide outwardly of thecylinder 67 carrying with it thebracket 64, 65 that is made to slide on therods 22. Thecylinder 72 that is mounted on thebracket 64 likewise is made to slide to the right as seen by FIG. ll. Thespindle 73 slides toward the sleeve 11, impales it as shown by FIG. 12 so that continued sliding movement of thecylinder 72 causes theshoulder 75 to engage the end portion of the sleeve 11 as shown by FIG. 13. The sleeve 11 is now made to slide out of thecradle 49 and carried toward theferrule 13 as shown by FIG. 14 until the tip of thespindle 73 has travelled the length of theferrule 13 and engages the end of theconductor 12 as illustrated by FIG. 15. Contemporaneously therewith, the forward or right end of the sleeve 11 will have arrived at the position of theferrule 13 and air under pressure is permitted to enter thecylinder 72 through theinlet pipe 81. Now air under pressure will flow along thelongitudinal slots 80 of thespindle 73 to expand the sleeve 11 and enlarge the opening of the sleeve 11 at the position of theferrule 13 where the air is escaping into the atmosphere. The bracket 64 'andcylinder 72 continue to slide to the right, but since thespindle 73 has engaged the end of theconductor 12 as illustrated by FIGS. 15, thecoil spring 77 begins to be compressed and the expanded sleeve lll begins to slide over the end of the ferrule I3.

Since the beginning of this cycle of operation, thejaws 30 andgates 36 have engaged and held the combined conductor andferrule 12, I3 firmly. As the sleeve II is continued to be pushed over'the ferrule, the sleeve 11 engages the first pair ofgates 36 causing the latter to pivot about their pivot pins 37 against the force of their respective coil springs 37 as shown by FIG. 16. Similarly, the remaining pairs ofgates 36 are engaged by the sleeve Ill and made to swing out of its path. However, the coil springs 37 cause thegates 36 to remain in forceful contact with the sleeve 11 until the sleeve 11 engages thejaws 30 as shown by FIG. 17. At this time air under pressure is permitted to enter thecylinder 67 through the pipe 711 to cause thebracket 64,cylinder 72 andspindle 73 to retract or slide to the left as shown by FIG. 18. During this cycle of operation, thecoil spring 77 causes thespindle 73 to slide outwardly of thecylinder 72 against thebuffer spring 76 to the position shown by FIG. 18. Contemporaneously therewith air under pressure entering thepipe 81 is cut off and the sleeve Ill resuming its original shape and size to become properly fitted on the combined conductor andferrule 12, 13 as shown by FIG. 18. Upon thespindle 73 arriving at its fully retracted position, air under pressure enters thecylinder 34 to cause thepiston rod 33 to slide upwardly and thecranks 28, 29 to pivot thejaws 29, 30 to their open position to release the combined conductor andferrule 12, I3. Simultaneously therewith, the rotatingfeeder 44 is made to rotate a quarter revolution by permitting air to enter the upper hose of thecylinder 58 to compel thepiston rod 57 to slide downwardly carrying thepawl 52 which rotates theratchet 149 and thefeeder 44 for a quarter turn. The sleeve 11 lying in theslot 46 that now arrives at the position of thecradle 49 will drop into thecradle 49 ready for the next cycle of operation. At the same time theslot 46 that has now arrived at the top is adjacent to the outlet of thepipe 43 and will receive a sleeve II that slides therein by gravity. The cycle of operation now completed will repeat itself as aforesaid.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of mounting a resilient sleeve on a ferrule secured to the end of an electrical conductor comprising gripping said metal ferrule and said conductor at various positions along their length, placing said sleeve in substantial axial alignment with said ferrule, pushing said sleeve toward said ferrule, expanding said resilient sleeve by fluid under pressure, continued pushing of said sleeve over said ferrule and causing said individual gripping forces to swing away from said ferrule and said conductor onto said sleeve in sequence as said sleeve slides over said ferrule: and said conductor and discontinuing the flow of fluid under pressure whereby said sleeve resumes its normal size to become firmly positioned on said ferrule and said conductor.

2. The method as recited by claim 1 and the impaling of said sleeve as said sleeve is pushed toward said ferrule and permitting the escape of said fluid under pressure in said sleeve at the position of the periphery of said sleeve as said sleeve enshroudes said ferrule.

3. Apparatus for mounting a resilient sleeve on a ferrule connected to the end of an electrical conductor comprising a pair of support means, means pivotally mounting said support means, gripping means for holding said ferrule, means rotatably mounting said ferrule gripping means on said pair of support means whereby said support pivot means compels the swinging of said ferrule gripping means toward and awayfrom said ferrule and said ferrule gripping rotating means permitting the swinging of said ferrule gripping means along an axis of said ferrule, means pushing said sleeve toward and on said ferrule whereby upon the sliding of said sleeve on said ferrule said sleeve engages said ferrule gripping means and causes the latter to swing away from said ferrule.

4. The structure as recited by claim 3 wherein said pivot means for said ferrule gripping means comprises a pair of rods rotatably mounted on said support means, a notched member for engaging said ferrule a longitudinal slot along its length permitting fluid therealong into said sleeve.

under pressure to flow

Claims (5)

1. The method of mounting a resilient sleeve on a ferrule secured to the end of an electrical conductor comprising gripping said metal ferrule and said conductor at various positions along their length, placing said sleeve in substantial axial alignment with said ferrule, pushing said sleeve toward said ferrule, expanding said resilient sleeve by fluid under pressure, continued pushing of said sleeve over said ferrule and causing said individual gripping forces to swing away from said ferrule and said conductor onto said sleeve in sequence as said sleeve slides over said ferrule and said conductor and discontinuing the flow of fluid under pressure whereby said sleeve resumes its normal size to become firmly positioned on said ferrule and said conductor.

2. The method as recited by claim 1 and the impaling of said sleeve as said sleeve is pushed toward said ferrule and permitting the escape of said fluid under pressure in said sleeve at the position of the periphery of said sleeve as said sleeve enshroudes said ferrule.

3. Apparatus for mounting a resilient sleeve on a ferrule connected to the end of an electrical conductor comprising a pair of support means, means pivotally mounting said support means, gripping means for holding said ferrule, means rotatably mounting said ferrule gripping means on said pair of support means whereby said support pivot means compels the swinging of said ferrule gripping means toward and away from said ferrule and said ferrule gripping rotating means permitting the swinging of said ferrule gripping means along an axis of said ferrule, means pushing said sleeve toward and on said ferrule whereby upon the sliding of said sleeve on said ferrule said sleeve engages said ferrule gripping means and causes the latter to swing away from said ferrule.

4. The structure as recited by claim 3 wherein said pivot means for said ferrule gripping means comprises a pair of rods rotatably mounted on said support means, a notched member for engaging said ferrule mounted at obe end of each of said rods, a plurality of stop members mounted on said support means, a pin secured to the other end of each of said rods and spring means yieldingly urging said pins into engagement with said stop members when said notched members are extending in a direction toward each other.

5. The structure as recited by claim 4 wherein said sleeve pushing means comprises an elongated rod for impaling said sleeve, an enlarged portion mounted on said rod engaging said sleeve, said elongated rod having a longitudinal slot along its length permitting fluid under pressure to flow therealong into said sleeve.

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