Cable storage device and method for handling cable ends

• US 20060107522A1
• Filed: 11/01/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komax Holding AG
• Original Assignee: Komax Holding AG
• Inventors: Meredith, Zane, Noseda, Iso
• Granted Patent: US 7,570,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/745
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/052 with wire-feeding mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/28 for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/532 Conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53213 Assembled to wire-type conductor

Abstract

In order to make possible simple operation of a cable storage device it is proposed that a multitude of cable storage elements be arranged on a rail and comprise an element with which they can be displaced by the cable gripper in a front delivery row until they are collected, preferably manually, for further treatment.

Claims

1. A device for the storage of cables, in particular cable ends, comprising at least one storage rail comprising a multitude of cable storage devices;

a supply and transportation device for essentially horizontal supply and essentially horizontal transport of the storage rails to the position at which the storage of the cables or cable ends or the placement of cables or cable ends into the storage devices is intended, as well as for transport away from this position;

means for the storage or placement of each cable or cable end in a cable storage device,

wherein

the means for the storage or placement of each cable or cable end in a cable storage device are designed such that said means can lead away the filled cable storage devices after placement of the cables or cable ends essentially horizontally in relation to the position of placement.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein on at least one side the storage rails comprise handles which can be engaged by the means for the storage or placement of the cables or cable ends during lead-away, so as to displace the storage rails.

3. The device according to claim 1, comprising a first supply groove or slot in which the storage rails can be supplied by horizontal displacement, and a second transport groove or slot in which the storage rails can be transported away by horizontal displacement.

4. The device according to claim 1, comprising a transfer device which is designed such that it can transfer the storage rails from one groove or slot to the other groove or slot.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for the storage or placement of the cables or cable ends are cable grippers, wherein each cable gripper is designed as a slide device.

6. A method for the storage of cables, in particular cable ends, in particular comprising a device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps:

the supply of storage rails comprising a multitude of cable storage devices in a row;

the supply of the storage rails, essentially horizontally, to a position in which the storage or placement of the cables or cable ends in the cable storage devices is intended;

the placement of cables to at least one of the cable storage devices using means for the storage or placement of the cables or cable ends in a cable storage device;

lead-away of the storage rails essentially horizontally to a position where they can be removed from the device,

wherein

the storage rails are led away using the means for the storage or placement of the cables or cable ends.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that during the lead-away process the means for the storage or placement of the cables or cable ends engage handles of the storage rails and in this way displace the storage rails.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterised in that the storage rails in a first supply groove or slot are supplied by horizontal displacement, and in a second transport groove or slot are transported away by horizontal displacement.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterised in that by means of a transfer device which is designed such that it can transfer the storage rails from one groove or slot to the other groove or slot prior to cables being placed in them the storage rails are transferred from the first groove or slot to the second groove or slot.