Multiple line, automatic key programming and connector transfer system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for automatically programming keys of electrical connectors having keys programmable to any selected one of a plurality of programmed states comprising:
- a supply station for storing a plurality of connectors having keys in an unprogrammed orientation;
a programming station for receiving connectors having keys in an unprogrammed orientation from said supply station and for programming the keys of the connectors, said programming station including a programming device for programming the keys of each connector to a particular programmed state in accordance with programming instructions applied thereto;
an output station for receiving connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation from said programming station, said output station including a plurality of output station sections each of which are adapted to receive connectors which have keys programmed to a specific one of said plurality of programmed states; and
monitoring means for monitoring each of said plurality of output station sections and for providing programming instructions to said programming device for maintaining a supply of connectors having keys progammed to a desired orientation in each of said plurality of output station sections.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic key programming and connector transfer system and method for electrical connectors (10) having keying means (40) thereon includes a supply station (56) for storing a plurality of connectors (10) having keys in an unprogrammed orientation; a programming station (57) for receiving connectors (10) from the supply station (56) and for programming the keys, the programming station (57) including a programming device (100) responsive to programming instructions applied thereto; and an output station (58) for receiving connectors (10) having keys programmed to a desired orientation, the output station (58) including a plurality of output station sections (80a-80f) each of which are adapted to receive connectors which have keys programmed to a predetermined one of the plurality of possible programmed states; and monitoring means (60) for monitoring each section (80a-80f) and for controlling the programming device (100) to program the keys of connectors (10) to maintain an adequate supply in each section. The system may include robotic transfer apparatus (52).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for automatically programming keys of electrical connectors having keys programmable to any selected one of a plurality of programmed states comprising:
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a supply station for storing a plurality of connectors having keys in an unprogrammed orientation; a programming station for receiving connectors having keys in an unprogrammed orientation from said supply station and for programming the keys of the connectors, said programming station including a programming device for programming the keys of each connector to a particular programmed state in accordance with programming instructions applied thereto; an output station for receiving connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation from said programming station, said output station including a plurality of output station sections each of which are adapted to receive connectors which have keys programmed to a specific one of said plurality of programmed states; and monitoring means for monitoring each of said plurality of output station sections and for providing programming instructions to said programming device for maintaining a supply of connectors having keys progammed to a desired orientation in each of said plurality of output station sections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for programming keys of electrical connectors and for transferring the connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation to a utilization device, said system comprising:
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an automatic programming apparatus including; a supply station for storing a plurality of connectors having keys in an unprogrammed orientation, each of said connectors having keys programmable to any selected one of a plurality of programmed states; a programming station for receiving connectors having keys in an unprogrammed desired orientation from said supply station and for programming the keys of the connectors, said programming station including a programming device for programming the keys of a connector therein in response to programming instructions applied thereto; and an output station for receiving connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation from said programming station, said output station including a plurality of output station sections, each of said output station sections being adapted to receive connectors which have keys programmed to a specific one of said plurality of programmed states; and monitoring means for monitoring each of said output sections, said monitoring means including means for controlling the operation of said programming device to program keys of connectors to programmed states as necessary for maintaining an adequate supply of connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation in each of said plurality of output station sections; and robotic transfer apparatus for transferring connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation from the output station sections of said automatic programming apparatus to a utilization device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for automatically programming the keys of electrical connectors to any selected one of a plurality of programmed states, comprising:
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delivering keyed but unprogrammed electrical connectors from a supply station to a programming station; programming the keys of said connectors in said programming station in response to programming instructions; delivering connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation from the programming station to an output station, said output station including a plurality of output tracks each of which are adapted to receive and store connectors which have keys programmed to a desired orientation of said plurality of programmed states; and monitoring each of said output tracks and controlling programming of keys of connectors in said programming station to maintain an adequate supply of connectors having keys programmed to a desired orientation in each of said output tracks. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification