U.S. patent application number 11/528922 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for stripping device for bundled cable.
Invention is credited to Raymond Allard.
Application Number | 20080078087 11/528922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39271286 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080078087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allard; Raymond |
April 3, 2008 |
Stripping device for bundled cable
Abstract
A device for stripping cables held closely together in a bundled
configuration includes a first end component defining a first slot
longitudinally extending from a first end to a second end. A
central component defines a second slot longitudinally extending
from a first end to a second end. The central component has a
cutting blade projecting into the second slot. A second end
component defines a third slot longitudinally extending from a
first end to a second end. The central component at the first end
is configured to be rotatably coupled to the first end component,
and the central component at the second end is configured to be
rotatably coupled to the second end component such that the first
through third slots are alignable for receiving a cable to be
stripped, and such that the first, second and third slots are
misalignable for retaining a cable therein while being
stripped.
Inventors: |
Allard; Raymond;
(Wallingford, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCCORMICK, PAULDING & HUBER LLP
CITY PLACE II, 185 ASYLUM STREET
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
39271286 |
Appl. No.: |
11/528922 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/90.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 1/1224
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/90.1 |
International
Class: |
B21F 13/00 20060101
B21F013/00 |
Claims
1. A device for stripping cables held closely together in a bundled
configuration, the device comprising: a first end component
defining a first slot longitudinally extending from a first end to
a second end thereof; a central component defining a second slot
longitudinally extending from a first end to a second end thereof,
the central component having a cutting blade projecting inwardly
into the second slot; a second end component defining a third slot
longitudinally extending from a first end to a second end thereof;
and the central component at the first end thereof being configured
to be rotatably coupled to the first end component, and the central
component at the second end thereof being configured to be
rotatably coupled to the second end component such that the first,
second and third slots are alignable for receiving a cable to be
stripped, and such that the first, second and third slots are
misalignable for retaining a cable therein while being
stripped.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first end component,
the central component and the second end component each define at
least one interior channel extending from the first end to the
second end thereof, the at least one interior channels of the
components being generally coaxially aligned to form a single,
combined channel, and further comprising an elongated member
configured to be received in the combined channel for coupling
together the components.
3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first end component,
the central component and the second end component each define two
interior channels each extending from the first end to the second
end thereof, the two interior channels of the components each being
generally coaxially aligned to form a single, combined channel, and
further comprising two elongated members each configured to be
received in one of the combined channels for coupling together the
components.
4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one
interior channel of the first end component and the at least one
interior channel of the second end component are circular, and
wherein the at least one interior channel of the central component
is arcuate.
5. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein the two interior
channels of the first end component and the two interior channels
of the second end component are circular, and wherein the two
interior channels of the central component are arcuate.
6. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the elongated member is
circular in cross-section.
7. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein the two elongated
members each are circular in cross-section.
8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first, second and
third slots each are U-shaped.
9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first end component
and the second end component each have an outer surface defining
knurls to provide secure gripping thereto.
10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the central component
defines a hole adjacent to the cutting blade for providing an
opening for stripped jacket material to exit.
11. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the cutting blade
includes a tip angled into the second slot so as to enable an
insulation jacket to be peeled off of a cable when the cutting
blade is rotated relative to the cable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to electrical insulation
stripping devices, and more particularly to devices for stripping
individual cables mid-span and closely held together in a bundled
configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Stripping a portion of the outer jacket of a cable is
typically accomplished manually with a utility knife or other sharp
blade. A drawback of stripping with such blades is that the outer
conductor can be accidentally nicked or damaged if the blade is
plunged to deeply into the outer jacket. Another drawback is that
the knife or blade might slip out of the jacket and cause injury to
the person stripping the jacket. Moreover, the stripping of several
cables in a bundled configuration can be time-consuming and
tedious.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device
for stripping cables held closely together in a bundled
configuration which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In an aspect of the present invention, a device for
stripping cables held closely together in a bundled configuration
includes a first end component defining a first slot longitudinally
extending from a first end to a second end thereof. A central
component defines a second slot longitudinally extending from a
first end to a second end thereof. The central component has a
cutting blade projecting inwardly into the second slot. A second
end component defines a third slot longitudinally extending from a
first end to a second end thereof. The central component at the
first end thereof is configured to be rotatably coupled to the
first end component, and the central component at the second end
thereof is configured to be rotatably coupled to the second end
component such that the first, second and third slots are alignable
for receiving a cable to be stripped, and such that the first,
second and third slots are misalignable for retaining a cable
therein while being stripped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of a stripping device in a cable
receiving/removing position in accordance with the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front view of the stripping device of FIG. 1 in
a cable retaining position.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the stripping device of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a central component of the device
of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 5 is an end view of the central component.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the central component
taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an end component of the
device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an end view of the end component of FIG. 7.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a connecting rod for holding together the
components of the device.
[0014] FIG. 10A is a side view of a cutting blade of the
device.
[0015] FIG. 10B is a front view of the cutting blade.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1-10B, a device for stripping
electrical insulation from a cable in accordance with the present
invention is generally designated by the reference number 10. The
device 10 comprises a first end component 12, a central component
14 and a second end component 16. The first end component 12 is
rotatably coupled to a first end 18 of the central component 14,
and the second end component 16 is rotatably coupled to a second
end 20 of the central component as is explained more fully below.
The components 12, 14, 16 each are preferably generally cylindrical
in cross-section for ease of handling and use in tight spaces where
cables are held closely together in a bundled configuration, but
can be rectangular, square or take other practical shapes.
Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7, the first and second end
components 12, 16 preferably have a portion of their outer surface
defining knurls 21 for providing an enhanced gripping surface, but
can employ a rubber-like or other enhanced gripping surface without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0017] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end component 12
defines a first slot 22 longitudinally extending from a first end
24 to a second end 26 of the first component. Likewise, the central
component 14 defines a second slot 28 longitudinally extending from
the first end 18 to the second end 20 of the central component.
Moreover, the second end component 16 defines a third slot 30
longitudinally extending from a first end 32 to a second end 34 of
the second component. When the central component 14 is coupled to
the first and second end components 12, 16, the first, second and
third slots 22, 28, 30 defined by the components are generally
coaxially and longitudinally aligned in end-to-end configuration to
form a single, combined slot longitudinally extending from the
first end 24 of the first end component 12 to the second end 34 of
the second end component 16.
[0018] The first end component 12 further defines a first interior
channel 36 and a second interior channel 38 each extending from the
first end 24 to the second end 26 of the first end component. As
shown in FIG. 8, the first and second channels 36, 38 are
preferably radially disposed on opposite sides relative to each
other. Similarly, the central component 14 defines a third interior
channel 40 and a fourth interior channel 42 each extending from the
first end 18 to the second end 20 of the central component. As best
shown in FIG. 5, the third and fourth channels 40, 42 are
preferably radially disposed on opposite sides relative to each
other. Moreover, the second end component 16 defines a fifth
interior channel 44 and a sixth interior channel 46 each extending
from the first end 32 to the second end 34 of the second end
component. As shown in FIG. 3, the fifth and sixth channels 44, 46
are preferably radially disposed on opposite sides relative to each
other.
[0019] When the central component 14 is coupled to the first and
second end components 12, 14, the first, third and fifth interior
channels 36, 40, 44 defined by the components are generally
coaxially and longitudinally aligned in end-to-end configuration to
form a single, combined channel longitudinally extending from the
first end 24 of the first end component 12 to the second end 34 of
the second end component 16. Likewise, the second, fourth and sixth
interior channels 38, 42, 46 defined by the components are
generally coaxially and longitudinally aligned in end-to-end
configuration to form another single, combined channel
longitudinally extending from the first end 24 of the first end
component 12 to the second end 34 of the second end component
16.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second channels 36, 38 of
the first end component 12, and likewise the fifth and sixth
channels 44, 46 of the second end component 16 each are preferably
circular in cross-section, but can be other practical shapes
without departing from the scope of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 5, the third and fourth channels 40, 42 of the central
component 14 each are preferably arcuate in cross-section for
reasons to be explained below.
[0021] A first elongated member or connecting rod 52, as shown in
FIG. 9, is received in the first, third and fifth channels 36, 40,
44 to couple together the first end component 12, the central
component 14 and the second end component 16. Likewise, a second
elongated member or connecting rod 54 is received in the second,
fourth and sixth channels 38, 42, 46 to couple together the first
end component 12, the central component 14 and the second end
component 16. The first and second elongated members 52, 54 each
are preferably circular in cross-section or of corresponding shape
to that of at least some of the channels. Moreover, the first and
second elongated members 52, 54 each are sized to be friction
fitted in the channels so that the components 12, 14, 16 are firmly
but releasably secured to one another.
[0022] The third channel 40 defined by the central component 14 is
arcuate in cross-section to allow relative movement of the first
elongated member 52 within the third channel from one radial end 56
to an opposite radial end 58 of the arcuate third channel.
Likewise, the fourth channel 42 defined by the central component 14
is arcuate in cross-section to allow relative movement of the
second elongated member 54 within the fourth channel from one
radial end 60 to an opposite radial end 62 of the arcuate fourth
channel. Relative movement of the first and second elongated
members 40, 42 respectively within the third and fourth channels
52, 54 results in rotation of the central component 14 relative to
the first and second end components 12, 16 for reasons to be
explained below.
[0023] The first end component 12 defines longitudinally extending
first and second lips 64, 66 on each side of the first slot 22. The
first and second lips 64, 66 are spaced a predetermined distance
from each other for receiving a cable into the first slot 22.
Similarly, the central component 14 defines longitudinally
extending third and fourth lips 68, 70 on each side of the second
slot 28. The third and fourth lips 68, 70 are preferably spaced the
same predetermined distance from each other as that of the first
and second lips 64, 66 for receiving a cable into the second slot
28. Moreover, the second end component 16 defines longitudinally
extending fifth and sixth lips 72, 74 on each side of the third
slot 30. The fifth and sixth lips 72, 74 are preferably spaced the
same predetermined distance from each other as that of the lips of
the first end component 12 and the central component 14 for
receiving a cable into the third slot 30.
[0024] The central component 14 is rotatable relative to the first
and second end components 12, 16 such that the opposing lips of the
components are flush with one another in order to receive a cable
into the combined slot defined by the components 12, 14, 16 (see
FIG. 1). More specifically, the first, third and fifth lips 64, 68,
72 are flush with one another on one side of the combined slot, and
the second, fourth and sixth lips 66, 70, 74 are flush with one
another on the other side of the combined slot so as to place the
device 10 in a cable receiving/removing position.
[0025] Moreover, the central component 14 is rotatable relative to
the first and second end components 12, 16 such that the opposing
lips of the end components are misaligned with adjacent lips of the
central component in order to retain a cable in the combined slot
defined by the components 12, 14, 16 (see FIG. 2). More
specifically, the third lip 68 is longitudinally misaligned with
the first and fifth lips 64, 72 on one side of the combined slot,
and the fourth lip 70 is longitudinally misaligned with the second
and sixth lips 66, 74 on the other side of the combined slot so as
to place the device 10 in a cable retaining position. Stated
another way, the distance between the lip 68 of the central
component 14 and the lips 66, 74 of the end components 12, 16 are
reduced in order to prevent a cable from leaving the combined slot
while the outer jacket of the cable is being stripped.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central component 14 includes
a cutting blade 76 (see also FIGS. 4, 6, 10A and 10B) projecting
inwardly into the second slot 28 for cutting into and removing a
portion of the electrical insulation jacket of a cable disposed in
the second slot. A tip 78 of the cutting blade 76 is angled into
the second slot 28 so as to enable the insulation jacket to be
peeled off of the cable when the cutting blade of the device 10 is
rotated relative to the cable. The central component 14 further
defines a hole 80 adjacent to the cutting blade 76 and generally on
an opposite side of the central component 14 relative to that of
the lips 68, 70 for providing an opening for the stripped jacket
material to exit the device 10.
[0027] The central component 14 is slightly larger in cross-section
as seen in a longitudinal direction therealong, and defines
recessed seats 82, 84 at each longitudinal end for receiving and
abutting against an opposing longitudinal end surface of the first
and second end components 12, 16.
[0028] In operation, a cable having an electrical insulation jacket
is received into the axially extending combined slot of the device
10 when the device 10 is in a cable receiving/removing position.
The cutting blade 76 protruding inwardly into second slot 28 (i.e.,
the central portion of the combined slot) engages the jacket of the
cable. As mentioned above, the central component 14 of the device
10 which holds the cutting blade 76 is separate from and slightly
rotatable relative to the first and second end components 12, 16.
Once a cable is inserted in the combined slot, the central
component 14 of the device 10 can then be slightly rotated relative
to the end components 12, 16 of the device which in turn misaligns
the slot 28 defined by the central component relative to the slots
22, 30 respectively defined by the end components 12, 16 (see FIG.
2) in order to place the device 10 in a cable retaining position to
thereby hold the cable firmly in place within the combined slot
during the stripping operation.
[0029] The device 10 is then rotated several times about the cable
such that the cutting blade 76 cuts into and peels the jacket away
from the outer conductor of the cable. The device 10 is also gently
pushed along the cable in a direction to be stripped while rotating
thereabout in order to strip the cable to the desired length. When
the cable is stripped to the desired length, the central component
14 of the device 10 is then slightly rotated relative to the end
components 12, 16 of the device to align the slot 28 defined by the
central component relative to the slots 22, 30 respectively defined
by the end components 12, 16 (see FIG. 1) in order to return the
device 10 to the cable receiving/removing position to permit the
cable to be removed from the device 10. The process of stripping is
repeated on the remaining cables until all of the bundled cables
are stripped.
[0030] As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the
pertinent art, numerous modifications and substitutions can be made
to the above-described embodiment of the present invention without
departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
preceding portion of this specification is to be taken in an
illustrative, as opposed to a limiting sense.
* * * * *