Wire harness assembly system

{
  "publication_number": "US10256011B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Wire harness assembly system",
  "abstract": "A wire harness assembly system is disclosed. The wire harness assembly system includes a grid tile designed to receive repositionable accessories to route wires along the grid tile. The grid tile includes a plurality of keyed holes extending from the top of the grid tile, through the grid tile, to the bottom of the grid tile. The grid tile also includes a locking surface on the bottom of the grid tile. The locking surface complements the plurality of keyed holes to receive the repositionable accessory and to maintain the repositionable accessory in a locked position.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A wire harness assembly system comprising: at least one grid tile for receiving at least one repositionable accessory to route wires, wherein the at least one grid tile having a top, a bottom, and sides; wherein the at least one grid tile has a plurality of keyed holes, the plurality of keyed holes extending from the top, through the at least one grid tile, to the bottom of the grid tile for receiving the at least one repositionable accessory to route wires along the at least one grid tile; wherein the keyed holes have a center circular portion and two side rectangular portions extending from the center circular portion; and wherein the at least one grid tile has a locking surface on the bottom of the at least one grid tile, wherein the locking surface complements the plurality of keyed holes for maintaining the at least one repositionable accessory in a locked position, wherein the locking surface has a plurality of ramps and a plurality of grooves.",
    "2. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein each groove is V-shaped formed by adjacent ramps.",
    "3. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein the grooves are offset 90 degrees from the side rectangular portions of the keyed holes.",
    "4. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of legs extend from the bottom of the at least one grid tile for supporting the at least one grid tile on a surface.",
    "5. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein the sides have interlocking features for joining adjacent grid tiles.",
    "6. The wire harness assembly system of claim 5, wherein the interlocking features include tongues and grooves that interlock to form an array of grid tiles.",
    "7. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, wherein the at least one grid tile has holes for receiving fasteners to secure the at least one grid tile to a surface.",
    "8. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a sheet positioned over the top of the at least one grid tile for illustrating a desired wire harness assembly layout.",
    "9. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grid tiles and at least one grid tile connector engaging adjacent grid tiles for ensuring accurate alignment of the wire harness assembly system.",
    "10. The wire harness assembly system of claim 9, wherein the at least one grid tile connector joins multiple grid tiles without being attached to a surface.",
    "11. The wire harness assembly system of claim 9, wherein the at least one grid tile connector engages the bottom of the adjacent grid tiles.",
    "12. The wire harness assembly system of claim 9, wherein the at least one grid tile connector comprising a bottom with reinforcing ribs.",
    "13. The wire harness assembly system of claim 9, wherein the at least one grid tile connector comprising holes for receiving fasteners to secure the grid tiles to the at least one grid tile connector.",
    "14. The wire harness assembly system of claim 9, wherein the at least one grid tile connector comprising locating wells for holding legs extending from the grid tiles.",
    "15. The wire harness assembly system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mount installed in the at least one grid tile for receiving the at least one repositionable accessory to route wires, wherein the locking mount having a keyed lower portion for mating engagement with the keyed holes and locking surface of the at least one grid tile, whereby the installed locking mount is rotated to a locked position.",
    "16. A wire harness assembly system comprising: at least one grid tile for receiving at least one repositionable accessory to route wires, wherein the at least one grid tile having a top, a bottom, and sides; wherein the at least one grid tile has a plurality of keyed holes, the plurality of keyed holes extending from the top, through the at least one grid tile, to the bottom of the grid tile for receiving the at least one repositionable accessory to route wires along the at least one grid tile; wherein the at least one grid tile has a locking surface on the bottom of the at least one grid tile, wherein the locking surface complements the plurality of keyed holes for maintaining the at least one repositionable accessory in a locked position; a locking mount installed in the at least one grid tile for receiving the at least one repositionable accessory to route wires; wherein the locking mount has a keyed lower portion for mating engagement with the keyed holes and locking surface of the at least one grid tile; wherein the keyed lower portion of the locking mount has a shaft that includes side projections with an angled top portion; wherein the keyed holes in the at least one grid tile have a center circular portion and two side rectangular portions; and wherein the locking mount is installed in one of the plurality of keyed holes with the shaft of the locking mount positioned in the center circular portion of the keyed hole and the side projections of the locking mount positioned in the two side rectangular portions of the keyed hole; whereby the installed locking mount is rotated to a locked position.",
    "17. The wire harness assembly of claim 16, wherein the locking surface has a plurality of ramps and a plurality of grooves; wherein the side projections and angled top portion of the locking mount slide over one of the plurality of ramps and into one of the plurality of grooves in the locking surface to secure the locking mount to the at least one grid tile."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a wire harness assembly system, and more particularly to a wire harness assembly system with keyed locking mounts.\n\nIt is common practice to provide a panel board to mount a plurality of wire mounts or other accessories to route wires. Typically the panel board includes a plurality of circular holes designed to receive the mounts. A paper cover is often positioned over the panel board. The paper cover has markings as to where the mounts and wires should be located. Mounts or accessories are installed over the paper on the panel board. The wires are routed through the mounts between their desired termination points. After the wires are installed, the wires are typically bundled together to form a wire harness assembly. The wire harness assembly is then shipped to the customer.\n\nThere is a need for an improved wire harness assembly process that is flexible and easy to assemble for faster routing of wires. There is also a need for an improved wire harness assembly system with mounts that are easily installed and secured to the wire harness tiles.\n\nThe present invention is directed to a wire harness assembly system. The wire harness assembly system includes at least one grid tile. The grid tile includes a top, a bottom, and sides. The grid tile also includes a plurality of keyed holes that extend from the top, through the grid tile, to the bottom of the grid tile. The plurality of keyed holes receive repositionable accessories that route wires along the grid tile. The grid tile also includes a locking surface on the bottom of the grid tile.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01B 13/01227",
    "B60R 16/0215",
    "F16B 21/02",
    "H01B 13/01209",
    "H01R 43/20",
    "H02G 3/32",
    "H05K 13/06"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 19/00",
    "H01B 13/012",
    "H01R 43/00",
    "H01R 43/20",
    "H05K 13/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Panduit Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Rodney G. Rouleau",
    "Janina B. Nebes",
    "Robert W. Kossak"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-10-15",
  "publication_date": "2019-04-09",
  "grant_date": "2019-04-09",
  "priority_date": "2014-10-31",
  "application_number": "US-201514884240-A",
  "family_id": "55853408",
  "cited_by_count": 10,
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}