(19)
(11) EP 0 755 102 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
13.08.1997 Bulletin 1997/33

(43) Date of publication A2:
22.01.1997 Bulletin 1997/04

(21) Application number: 96305354.1

(22) Date of filing: 22.07.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: H01R 43/20
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE CH DE FI FR GB IT LI NL

(30) Priority: 21.07.1995 US 505738

(71) Applicant: Holcomb, Gregory W.
Orange, CA 92665 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Scott,W.Klimczak
    West Covina,California 97191 (US)
  • Bosboom,Jereon
    Orange,California 92669 (US)
  • Holcomb, Gregory W.
    Orange, California 92665 (US)

(74) Representative: Robson, Aidan John 
Reddie & Grose 16 Theobalds Road
London WC1X 8PL
London WC1X 8PL (GB)

   


(54) Continuous strip pin header feeder


(57) A programmable feeder system for handling a continuous strip of pin header stock. The feeder system responds to controller commands to advance the end of the pin header stock to a pin pulling station, pull a pin identified by the controller at the key position, cut a pin header to a programmed length, and hold the finished pin header at a pickup station for pickup by an insertion system. The feeder system includes a pin header strip drive apparatus including a timing belt having lugs spaced to match the strip pin pitch and engage the pins in the strip. A stepper motor drives the belt to advance the strip under controller command to position the pin to be pulled at a pulling station, and thereafter to advance the strip by a distance needed to provide the programmed header length. A cut/clamp station clamps the advanced strip portion and cuts the receptacle strip to separate the pin header from the continuous strip.






Search report