IP Library Granted Patent US 8,272,121
Granted Patent B2
US 8,272,121 · App. 12/804,563 · Granted Sep 25, 2012

Insertion tool with gas spring

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,272,121
App. No.
12/804,563
Granted
Sep 25, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connector installation apparatus including a frame, a ram and a gas spring. The frame includes an anvil section. The anvil section is adapted to have a first connector part located at the anvil section. The ram is movably connected to the frame. The ram includes a front section adapted to have a second connector part located at the front section. The gas spring includes a piston head on a rear end of the ram, and a portion of the frame forming two variable chambers with the piston head.

Claims (28)

1. A connector installation apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an anvil section, wherein the anvil section is adapted to have a first connector part located at the anvil section;

a ram movably connected to the frame, wherein the ram comprises a front section adapted to have a second connector part located at the front section; and

a gas spring comprising a piston head on a rear end of the ram, and the piston head and a portion of the frame forming two variable chambers of the gas spring.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the gas spring comprises a gas conduit connected between the two chambers and a gas flow control in the conduit which is configured to at least partially control flow of gas between the two chambers.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising a user actuator connected to the gas flow control which is adapted to allow a user to actuate the gas flow control.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the gas flow control comprises a solenoid.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a first section, having the anvil section, movably connected to a second section forming the portion of the frame which forms the two variable chambers with the piston head.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the first section of the frame is adjustably movable with the second section of the frame by a threaded connection.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the gas spring further comprises a second piston head forming two additional variable chambers in the frame.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein a liquid is located in two of the variable chambers.

9. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein the frame comprises a stationary wall between the two additional variable chambers, and the apparatus further comprises a check valve in the stationary wall.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a stationary wall between a first one of the chambers and a third chamber of the frame, wherein a check valve is provided in the stationary wall between the first chamber and the third chamber.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein air is located in a second one of the chambers and an inert gas is located in the first and third chambers.

12. A connector installation apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising an anvil section, wherein the anvil section is adapted to have a first connector part located at the anvil section; and

a ram movably connected to the frame, wherein the ram comprises a front section adapted to have a second connector part located at the front section,

wherein the ram comprises a piston head forming two variable chambers in the frame, and

wherein a conduit and a gas flow control connect the two chambers to each other to control movement of gas between the two chambers and movement of the ram relative to the frame.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 further comprising a user actuator connected to the gas flow control which is adapted to allow a user to actuate the gas flow control.

14. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the gas flow control comprises a solenoid.

15. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the frame comprises a first section, having the anvil section, movably connected to a second section forming the two variable chambers with the piston head.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the first section of the frame is adjustably movable with the second section of the frame by a threaded connection.

17. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the gas spring further comprises a second piston head forming two additional variable chambers in the frame.

18. An apparatus as in claim 17 wherein a liquid is located in two of the variable chambers.

19. An apparatus as in claim 18 wherein the frame comprises a stationary wall between the two additional variable chambers, and the apparatus further comprises a check valve in the stationary wall.

20. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the frame comprises a stationary wall between a first one of the chambers and a third chamber of the frame, wherein a check valve is provided in the stationary wall between the first chamber and the third chamber.

21. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein air is located in a second one of the chambers and an inert gas is located in the first and third chambers.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2010
From: BURNDY TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 025406/0729 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2010
From: BECK, ALAN D.; LEFAVOUR, JOHN D.; BROWN, LAWRENCE
To: BURNDY TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 024786/0017 →