Reconfigurable wiring harness jig

• US 5,168,904 A
• Filed: 10/23/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Electro-Wire Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Quinkert, Ronald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Larson, Lowell A.
• Application Number:
  US07/781,731
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 140/92.1, 29/755, 29/850
• US Class Current: 140/92.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/01209 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53243 Multiple, independent conductors

Abstract

A reconfigurable jig for assembling a wiring harness includes a number of fixture heads, each supportable in a variety of indexable positions and configurations by an adjustable post assembly which may be mounted in various configurations upon a perforated board.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable jig for assembling a wiring harness comprising:

a board including a top surface defining an x-y plane and having a plurality of holes defined therein;

a post assembly having a first end configured to fit into one of said holes so that a second end thereof projects above the x-y plane of said top surface; and

a fixture head supported on the second end of said post assembly;

said post assembly and board being configured to provide for the angular indexing of the post assembly in the x-y plane of said board and said post assembly and fixture head being configured to provide for the angular indexing of said head with regard to the post assembly.

2. A jig as in claim 1, wherein said post assembly comprises a post member and a separate insert member, a portion of said insert member defining the first end of said assembly and being configured to receive and retain the post therein.

3. A jig as in claim 1, wherein said post assembly includes a collar portion disposed proximate the first end thereof, said collar portion configured to contact the board when the first end of the post assembly is fit into one of said holes.

4. A jig as in claim 1, wherein one of said post assembly and board includes a detent member associated therewith and the other of said post assembly and board includes a detent engaging member associated therewith, said detent member and detent engaging member being configured to provide for the angular indexing of the post assembly in the x-y plane of the board.

5. A jig as in claim 4, wherein said detent member comprises a projecting member associated with the post assembly and the detent engaging member comprises an indentation in said board disposed proximate at least one of said holes, said indentation being configured to receive said projecting member.

6. A jig as in claim 5, wherein said post assembly includes a detent washer and said projecting member is disposed o the detent washer.

7. A jig as in claim 1, wherein said post assembly comprises a drop post assembly selectably operable to decrease the height which the second end thereof projects above the x-y plane of said top surface, so as to facilitate removal of a wiring harness from the fixture head supported by said second end.

8. A jig as in claim 1, wherein said fixture head comprises a wire guide for supporting a bundle of wires therein.

9. A jig as in claim 1, further including an offset extender disposed between the second end of said post assembly and the fixture head.

12. A jig as in claim 1, wherein said fixture head includes indicia thereupon indicative of a physical parameter of said head.

13. A jig as in claim 12, wherein said indicia comprise a color coding.

10. A jig as in claim wherein said post assembly includes indicia thereupon corresponding to the height thereof.

11. A jig as in claim 10, wherein said indicia comprise a color coding.

14. A reconfigurable jig for assembling a wiring harness comprising:

a board including a top surface defining an x-y plane and having a plurality of similarly sized holes defined therein and further including an indentation on said top surface proximate each of said holes;

a detent washer including a projection configured to engage said indentation;

an insert member having a rod portion configured to fit into one of said holes, a collar portion which is larger than said holes and which is disposed in a plane at right angles to the rod portion and which includes means for engaging said detent washer, said insert further including a socket portion;

a post having a first end configured to fit into said socket; and

a fixture head indexably retained on a second end of said post so that said fixture head is angularly adjustable with regard to said post.