Electrical connector delivery system

U.S. Patent Number: 5385434

Abstract: A connector delivery system delivers an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station regardless of the relative orientation of the storage container to the processing station. The storage container contains a plurality of the connector components. A delivery conduit communicates between the storage container and the processing station. An air jet is located within the delivery conduit for effecting a pressure differential therewithin to create a vacuum to cause movement of the connector components in the delivery conduit in a downstream direction from the storage container to the processing station without the use of gravitational forces. A selector pawl upstream of the air jet feeds the connector components through the delivery conduit one component at a time in an incremental fashion. An orientation track between the selector pawl and the air jet is effective to deliver the connector components in a predetermined orientation.

Inventors: Quinn; Robert L. (St. Petersburg, FL), Parkinson; Edwin W. (St. Petersburg, FL), Pelletier; James R. (St. Petersburg, FL)

Assignee: Molex Incorporated (Lisle, IL)

Application Number: 08/190,717

Issued: 1995-01-31

Expired: 2007-01-31

Classes: 406/73 ; 198/399; 221/173; 221/278; 406/151; 406/153; 406/194; 406/195

Field of search: 193/46 198/389,399 221/171,173,236,239,278,294 406/73,76,87,134,147,148,149,150,176,180,191,192,194,195,151,153

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