Press-Fitting Head

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning and press-fitting press-fit portions of roughly L-shaped legs of contacts arranged in multiple rows in a connector into a substrate includes a press-fitting head and an alignment plate. The press-fitting head is rotatable between a rest position and a press-fitting position and has vertical grooves for receiving the contacts in the press-fitting position. The alignment plate is arranged proximate the press-fitting head when the press-fitting head is in the press-fitting position and aligns the press-fit portions of the contacts with press-fitting apertures in the substrate. The alignment plate is retracted from the from the press-fitting head when the press-fitting head press-fits the press-fit portions into the substrate.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A press-fitting head for positioning and press-fitting press-fit portions of roughly L-shaped legs of contacts arranged in multiple rows in a connector into a substrate, comprising: 
 vertical grooves for receiving the contacts, the vertical grooves having abutment portions and first and second positioning walls, the abutment portions extending substantially perpendicular to the vertical grooves for abutting shoulders of the contacts, and the first and second positioning walls being formed below the abutment portions and extending substantially perpendicular thereto for positioning the shoulders of the contacts in a right-left and forward-rearward direction.    
     
     
         14 . The press-fitting head of  claim 13 , wherein the press-fitting head is rotatable between a press-fitting position and a rest position.  
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . The press-fitting head of  claim 14 , further comprising a coil spring that stabilizes the press-fitting head.  
     
     
         22 . The press-fitting head of  claim 14 , further comprising a control lever for actuating the press-fitting head.  
     
     
         23 . The press-fitting head of  claim 14 , wherein the press-fitting head is moveable downward from the press-fitting position.  
     
     
         24 . The press-fitting head of  claim 13 , wherein the press-fitting head is mounted on a support arm.  
     
     
         25 . The press-fitting head of  claim 13 , wherein the vertical grooves have varying lengths.  
     
     
         26 . The press-fitting head of  claim 13 , wherein the vertical grooves are arranged at a predetermined pitch.  
     
     
         27 . The press-fitting head of  claim 26 , wherein the vertical grooves are arranged in a plurality of rows.