US2366271A

US2366271A - Apparatus for stripping material

Info

Publication number: US2366271A
Authority: US
Inventors: Brooke W Lerch
Original assignee: Western Electric Co Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1943-06-24
Filing date: 1943-06-24
Publication date: 1945-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 1962-01-02

Description

Jam. 2, 1945., B. W. LERCH APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING MATERIAL Filed June 24, 1943 llll lll.

- IN VEN TOR. 52 W EEH I 3 0 0 0 0 flw o o ouono o o Patented Jan. 2, 1945 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICIE APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING MATERIAL Brooke W. Lei-ch, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 24, 1943, Serial No. 492,012

15 Claims.

the removal of the defective shields it is essential that care be taken to prevent the insulated cores from being damaged. Apparatus heretofore used for this purpose has been unsatisfactory, since it often damages the insulation on the cores and is extremely slow, both of which disadvantages greatly increase the waste of vital materials and labor.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for stripping material.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention may be embodied in an apparatus comprising a capstan for advancing an insulated cable core covered with a braid at a given rate of speed, a pair of toothed discs engaging the braid and rotating at a speed slower than that of the cable being advanced therebetween whereby the braid is loosened and pushed back upon the cable core, cutters for shearing the loosened braid, and a finger for disengaging the cut braid} from the conductor.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention; I '3' Fig.2 is afragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of cutting tools forming part of the apparatus, and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along 'the lines 44 of Fig. 3.

rotatably'mounted parallel thereto in a similar bearing 20. Shafts I1 and i8 are geared together by intermeshing gears 2| and 22 mounted thereon. A sprocket 2i keyed to the shaft I1 is designed to be driven in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, by a chain 26 driven by aspocket 28 keyed to a shaft 29.

The. shaft 29.is mounted'in a bearing 30 (Fig. 2) and is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) by an electric motor 3|. cutting disc 32 secured to the shaft 29 has a bevelled, serrated periphery 34 which forms an undulating cutting edge 35 at one edge thereof. An elongated tapered cutting blade 38 having a cutting edge 39 formed thereon is rigidly mounted on an upright 40. A guide BI is positioned near the cutting disc 32 and the blade 38 to guide the conductor It) as it is drawn toward the blade 38. The blade 38 is adapted to have the braid i 4 drawn past it in engagement with the cutting edge 39 thereon which cooperates with the cutting edge 35 on the disc 32 .to sever the braid longitudinally as the cable I8 is drawn therepast by a capstan 42, around which the conductor ill is wound before being advanced to a suitable takeup means (not shown). A stripper 44 is mounted on a support 4| and is positioned so that its free end 45 lies adjacent to the insulation 12 inside the severed braid M to separate the severed braid l4 therefrom as both the braid and the conductor move beyond the cooperating portions of the

cutting edges

35 and 39.

The capstan 42 is secured to a shaft 48 mounted in a bearing 41 and is driven by a sprocket 48 secured on the shaft 46. The sprocket 48 is driven by a chain 49 driven by a sprocket 50 keyed to the shaft 29. The means driving the capstan 42 just described and the means driving the discs l5i5 and Iii-l6 and the cutting disc 32 hereinbefore described are so designed that the periphery of the capstan 42 moves at a rate of speed greater than do the peripheries of the discs I5-i6, Iii-l8 and the cutting edge 35 on the disc 32.

The toothed peripheries of the discs |i-l 5 and l6'--|6 are spaced apart a distance so that the teeth thereon will engage and retard the advancement of the braid M. This retarding action bunches the braid behind the discs l-I-l5 and iii-i6, causing it to expand and free itself from the periphery of the insulation l2 in that portion of the cable to the left of the discs iii-l5 and lB-IB as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawing. However, the toothed peripheriesof the discs l5-l5 and l6-l8 are spaced apart a sufficient distance to prevent the teeth thereon from engaging and damaging the insulation l2.

In the operation of the apparatus, the operator with the aid of suitable manual cutting tools removes a suilicient length of the braid it from the end of the cable ill to permit the bared end of the cable It! to be inserted between the discs I5-l5 and I5--l8, wrapped once around the capstan 42 and secured to the takeup means (not shown). The end of the braid M remaining on the conductor l should then be to the left of the discs I-IB and 16-48. as seen in Fig. 1. The operator then starts the motor 8| and the takeup means so that the capstan 42 draws the cable through the apparatus. The braid is carried to the braid retarding discs I5l5 and l6-l6 and is engaged by the teeth on the peripheries thereof. Since the periphery of the capstan 42 travels at a greater rate of speed than do the teeth on the braid retarding discs, the I core II, insulation i2 and the close fitting braid l4 thereon will be advanced to the teeth of the discs l5l5 and IS-i6 by the capstan 42 at a greater rate of speed than that at which the more slowly moving teeth will permit the braid l4'engaged thereby to move therepast. The braid I 4 at a distance to the left of the discs l5-|5 and 16-46 travels at the same speed as the core and insulation thereon. The thrust caused by the movement of the braid and the engagement therewith by the more slowly moving retarding discs will cause the braid to bunch up and expand as it is engaged by and passes beyond the teeth of the discs l5--I5 and l8l8, thus enlarging the diameter of the braid and loosening it on the insulation l2. When the end of the loosened braid approaches the end of the tapered cutting blade 38, the operator guides the loosened braid and the insulated core into engagement with the guide 5| and over the blade 38, which blade will then lie between the tubular braid l4 and the insulation l2. As the machine continues to operate, the braid is forced between the overlapping cutting edges 85 and 39, which sever it along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis' thereof. As the severed portion of the braid is fed forward beyond the

cutting edges

35 and 39, it will be drawn off the conductor by the end 45 of the stripper 44, which lies against the insulation l2. Meanwhile, the insulated core and the braid I4 are continuously advanced and the teeth of the discs l5-l5 and Iii-I6 will continue to engage longitudinally and expand the braid l4 so that it can be continuously cut by the

edges

35 and 39 and stripped by the stripper 44 from the insulated core. The insulated core is drawn around the capstan 42 and upon suitable takeup I x or until the operator for some other reason desires to stop the machine.

The exact ratio of the speed of the periphery of the capstan 42 with respect to the peripheral speed of the discs Ill-l5 and Ill-l8 and the cutting disc 32 may be varied to suit the size of the cable, the pitch and the material forming the braided sheath thereon. For example, the ratio of the peripheral speeds suitable for cutting and stripping loosely braided sheaths of steel wire upon a cable having a diameter of about a quarter of an inch has been found to be about 2.8 to 1. However, any ratio between-about 2 to 1 and 4 to 1 may be used with satisfactory results.

The apparatus embodying the invention is suitable for rapidly and efficiently cutting any expandable braid, and will strip the braid for salvage with a minimum expenditure of time and effort by the operator and without damage to the insulation beneath the braid.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for cutting tubular braids on elongated members, which comprises means for advancing an elongated member having a flexible braided tubular covering thereon, means for longitudinally compressing and thereby expanding the covering laterally on the elongated member to loosen the covering thereon, and means for cutting the expanded portion of the covering parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it and the member are advanced therepast.

2. A device for cutting tubular braids on elongated members, which comprises means for advancing an elongated member having a tubular braid thereon, a plurality of rotatable discs having serrations on the periphery thereof for retarding the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof and thereby expanding it laterally upon the elongated member as the braid and the member are advanced therepast.

3. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a close fitting wire braid thereon at a given rate of speed, means for engaging the braid for retarding and thereby compressing it longitudinally to expand the same laterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of the braid as it is advancedtherepast, and a cuting member movable with respect to the cutting 4. A device for cutting braided tubular cover- 40 ings on elongated cores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a tubular metallic braid thereon, a plurality of rotatable discs having serrations on the periphery thereof for retarding and thereby compressing the braid longitudinally to expand the tubular braid laterally on the core as the braid and the core are advanced therepast, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of the braid as it is advanced therepast, and a cutting member movable with respect to the cutting blade to cooperate therewith for cutting the expanded portion of the braid parallel to the iongitudinal axis thereof.

5. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a close fitting tubular braid thereon at a given rate of speed, means for engaging the braid for retarding and thereby longitudinally compressing and laterally expanding the same, and means for cutting the expanded portion of the braid. parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it and the core are advanced therepast.

6. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a close fitting, tubular metallic braid thereon at a given rate of speed, a plurality of serrated discs for engaging the braid as it is advanced therepast, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate of speed than that of the advancing means to retard the braid with respect to the core and thereby longitudinally cnmpress and laterally expand the braid upon the core, and means for cutting the expanded portion of the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it and the core are advanced therepast.

speed than that of the advancing mean to retard the braid with respect to the core and thereby loosen it on the core, means for cutting the loosened portion of the braid parallel to the iongitudinal axis thereof as it and the core are advanced therepast, and means for stripping the cut portion of the braid from the member.

8. A devlce'for cutting braided tubular coverings on elongated cores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a close fitting tubular metallic braid thereon at a given rate of speed, mean for engaging the braid to retard and thereby expand the same laterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of the braid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon for cooperating with the blade to sever the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced thereby, and means for rotating the ings on elongated cores, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core having a close fitting tubular metallic braid thereon at a given rate of speed, means for engaging the braid to retard and thereby expand the same laterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of the braid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon for cooperating with the blade to sever the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced thereby, means'for rotating the cutting disc, and means for stripping the cut portion of the braid from the core.

10. A device for'cutting braided tubular coverings on insulated conductors, which comprises mean for advancing an insulated conductor with a close fitting, loosely braided wire braid thereon at a given rate of speed, a plurality oi serrated discs for engaging the braid as it is advanced therepast, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate or speed than the advancing means to retard the braid engaged thereby and thereby loosen it on the conductor, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the loosened portion of the braid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon for cooperating with the blade to sever the loosened portion of the braid parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced thereby, and means for rotating the cutting disc.

11. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on insulated conductors, which comprises means for advancing an insulated conductor with a close fitting braided metallic sheath thereon at a given rate of speed, means for engaging the sheath to retard and thereby expand the same laterally, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of the sheath as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon. for cooperating with the blade to sever the expanded portion of the sheath parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced therepast, and means for rotating the cutting disc.

12. A device for cutting braided tubular coverings on insulated conductors, which comprises means for advancing an elongated core with a close fitting braided metallic sheath thereon at a given rate of speed, a plurality of serrated discs for engaging the sheath as it is advanced therepast, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate of speed than the advancing means to retard the sheath and thereby expand'it laterally on the core, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the expanded portion of the sheath as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a bevelled, serrated periphery forming a cutting edge thereon for cooperating with the blade to sever the sheath parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced therepast, and means for rotating the cutting disc.

13.A device for stripping wire braids from shield insulated cables, which comprises a capstan for advancing a cable core having a close fitting wire braid thereon at a given rate of speed. a plurality of pairs of opposed toothed discs for engaging the braid, means for rotating the discs at a slower rate of speed than that at which the conductor is advanced by the capstan so that the toothed discs retard the braid to loos'en it on, the core, an elongated cutting blade adapted to enter the loosened braid as it is advanced therepast, a cutting disc having a cutting edge thereon for cooperating with the blade to sever the braid along the longitudinal axis thereof as it is advanced thereby, means for rotating the disc, as. guide adjacent to the blade and the disc to prevent whipping of the core and the braid as they are advanced to the blade and the disc, and an elongated stripper lying against the core for forcing the severed braid therefrom.

14. A device for loosening a braided covering upon an elongated member, which comprises means for advancing an elongated member hav= ing a braided covering thereon at a given rate of speed, opposed serrated discs for engaging the covering, and means to rotate the discs at a slower rate of speed than that at which the conductor is advanced therebetween whereby the covering is longitudinally compressed and rashally expanded upon the member.

15. A device for cutting tubular coverings on elongated members, which comprises means for advancing an elongated member having a flexible tubular covering thereon, means for longitudi= nally compressing and thereby expanding the tubular covering laterally on the elongated member to loosen the covering thereon, and means for cutting'the expanded portion .of the coverin: parallel to the longitudinal, axis thereof as it and the member are advanced therepast.

- BROOKE W. LERCH.