Multiple lead cut and clinch mechanism

Abstract

An electronic component lead cutting and clinching mechanism having means for operating substantially simultaneously on a plurality of aligned leads. The cutting edges are angularly oriented to align with the component leads and raised to a position adjacent the undersurface of the wiring board into which the component leads have been inserted. Pneumatic cylinders actuate the mechanism.

What is claimed:  .[.1. A mechanism for cutting and clinching at least one lead of a plurality of aligned leads of an electronic component, said leads inserted and projecting beneath a circuit board, said mechanism including: 
     
        assembly..]. 14. A mechanism for cutting and clinching a plurality of aligned leads of an electronic component, said leads inserted and projecting beneath a circuit board, said mechanism including: a first housing assembly, said first housing assembly mounted to be raised and lowered vertically;   a multiple lead cutting and clinching device, said cutting and clinching device attached to said first housing assembly and moving therewith and positioned below said circuit board, said cutting and clinching device when actuated cutting and clinching at least a lead from said plurality of leads;   a single lead cutting and clinching device, said single lead cutting and clinching device attached to said first housing assembly and moving therewith and positioned below said circuit board, said single lead cutting and clinching device when actuated cutting and clinching one of said plurality of leads, the direction of lead clinching by said single lead cutting and clinching device being transverse from the direction of lead clinching by said multiple lead cutting and clinching device.[...].   means to vertically raise and lower said first housing assembly; and   means to actuate said cutting and clinching devices whereby leads are cut   
     
     
        and clinched transversely. .Iadd. 15.  An apparatus for cutting and clinching leads of electronic components, said leads inserted into and projecting from a circuit board, said mechanism cutting the projecting leads to trim their length and clinching the trimmed leads to said circuit board, and comprising; a first housing assembly raisable and lowerable along and angularly positionable about a vertical axis;   single lead means, attached to said first housing assembly for vertical and angular movement with said first housing assembly, for cutting and clinching of a single lead of aligned leads of an electronic component;   multiple lead means, attached to said first housing assembly for vertical and angular movement with said first housing assembly, for cutting and clinching of at least one other lead of said aligned leads of said component in a direction transverse to that of said single lead;   means for actuating said multiple lead means and comprising cut and clinch piston means and first cut and clinch linkage means, said cut and clinch piston means for driving said first cut and clinch linkage means to actuate said multiple lead means;   means for actuating said single lead means and comprising said cut and clinch piston means and second cut and clinch linkage means, said cut and clinch piston means for driving said second cut and clinch linkage means whereby said single and multiple lead means are actuated substantially simultaneously;   vertical positioning piston means and vertically positioning linkage means for vertically raising and lowering said first housing assembly along said vertical axis, said vertical positioning piston means for actuating said vertical positioning linkage means to raise and lower said first housing assembly; and   means for angularly positioning said first housing assembly, whereby said multiple lead means is angularly positioned about said vertical axis to   
     
     
        receive said other lead. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16.  An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said vertical positioning linkage means is of adjustable length such that vertical raising and lowering of said first housing assembly is variable. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said single lead means comprises a shaft having a beveled cutting and clinching end, said shaft received within a bore in said first housing assembly. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said means to angularly position, to vertically raise and lower, and to actuate include linear actuator means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said single lead is received along said vertical axis by said single lead means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said angularly positioning means comprises: angularly positioning piston means and rack and pinion means, said angularly positioning piston means for actuating said rack and pinion means, the pinion of said rack and pinion means being connected to said first housing assembly and coaxial with said vertical axis. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the connection between and angularly positioning piston means and the rack of said rack and pinion means is of variable length, whereby said first housing assembly is angularly referenced to said circuit board. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 22. An apparatus as in claim 20, and further comprising   a second housing assembly for providing fixed support for said angularly positioning piston means and the rack of said rack and pinion means;   a locking block fixed to said second housing assembly and having horizontal grooves therein;   a horizontal handle extending from said pinion and engaging said horizontal grooves in said locking block when said first assembly is vertically elevated, whereby the angular position of said first housing assembly is precisely held. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said multiple lead means comprises:   a pivotally mounted cutting blade of extended length and a shear being parallel and spaced apart to admit at least one other lead therebetween, said blade passing in an arc over said shear in cutting relationship when actuated by said means to actuate said multiple lead means, whereby said cutting and clinching of at least one other lead is accomplished..Iaddend.