US3092906A - Tool for stripping insulation from wire or cable - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1963 1.. E. DEERING 3,092,906

TOOL FOR STRIPPING INSULATION FROM WIRE 0R CABLE Filed July 17, 1961 INVENTOR Lawrence United States Patent 3,092,906 TOOL FUR STRIPPING INSULATION FROM WIRE OR CABLE Lawrence E. Deering, 622 Ridgewood Road, Bel Air, Md. Filed July 17, 1961, Ser. No. 124,739 14 Claims. (CI. 30-91) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein, patented, may be manufactured and used by and for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to a tool for stripping insulation from wire or cable. It has to do particularly, although not exclusively, with a stripper which combines, in a single relatively small hand tool, removable and interchangeable cutting means for slitting cable or wire insulation longitudinally thereof and also for cutting it transversely or crosswise.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand tool of the foregoing character which is so formed and proportioned as to receive and removably support 'a single cutting blade which blade serves to perform the dual operations of longitudinally slitting insulation on a wire or cable and of cutting it crosswise, or transversely, to permit removal of the desired length of said insulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tool or holder for stripping insulation which accommodates, with equal facility, a standard double edge safety razor blade, a conventional single edge safety razor blade having an enlarged reinforcing or heel portion, or an ordinary conventional single edge flat blade, in which each type of blade is rigidly, though releasably, held against movement in the holder.

A further object is to provide an improved and safe stripping tool or holder in accordance with the preceding paragraph, in which the blade is so located and held in the holder as to guard the cutting edge, or edges thereof in a manner which entirely eliminates the danger of the users hand coming into contact therewith.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved blade-holding frame, holder, or tool, which is of strong and durable, yet relatively simple and lightweight construction, having generally like parts, halves, or sections, which are easily assembled and disassembled to fixedly hold therebetween and/or release, a cutting blade.

The foregoing and other objects anil advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description and appended claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views:

In said drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of wire or cable insulation dual-acting stripping tool, frame, or holder, embodying the present invention, having a cutting blade therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the novel tool of the preceding figure;

FIG. 3 is an inside face, or elevational view, of one half, or section, of the holder, with a conventional doubleedge cutting blade held therein, and showing a piece of insulated wire in a so-called cross-cutting position in the crotch portion of the holder half, or section;

FIG. 4 is a view of the tool similar to FIG. 3, showing a slotted and heeled, or reinforced, single edge conventional razor blade therein, and also showing a length of insulated wire disposed lengthwise in the trough-containing part or half of the holder;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along 3,092,906 Patented June 11, 1963 the lines 5-5 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, also looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, but taken substantially along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a piece of insulated wire which has been slit lengthwise and cross cut by the dual-action tool of the preceding views.

Before explaining in detail the present .nvention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 thereof, there is shown one form of cable or wire stripper embodying the present invention, the device being indicated as a whole at 10. As best seen in FIG. 2, the tool or stripper is formed from two like, or substantially like, parts or sections, one part thereof being designated .11, with the other cooperating part being shown as a whole at 12. Each of these parts 11 and 12, whether assembled, as seen in FIG. 1, or disassembled, as shown in FIG. 2, is preferably generally V-shaped in contour (see FIG. 2).

Each half or section has :a base or lower blade holding portion 13 and an upper integral diverging portion 14, the latter being hollowed out longitudinally to provide one half or portion :17a of a cable or wire-receiving trough or channel 17, see FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7.

The base or blade-holding portion 13 of each half or part of the tool :10 is somewhat wider in its. upright dimension than is the trough-containing upper portion 14. The top side of said base portion 13 is preferably notched out, or relieved, to provide a depression 13a which increases the upright dimension of the crotch-like area or portion 9 adjacent the juncture of the divergent leg-like members 13 land 14.

Each half or section 11 and 12 is provided on its inner face with a depression 15, see particularly FIG. 2. These depressions 15 are adapted to register when the two halves are assembled in their normal flatwise condition of use (FIG. 1). Together, the depressed portions or recesses 15, 15 provide a cutter blade-receiving space or pocket (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) which is of sufficient width and size generally to accommodate blades of diiferent types, including a normal flat double-edge blade, as shown at B in FIGS. 3 and 5, or another conventional blade C having a single cutting edge C and a heel or reinforcing portion C as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.

The halves or sections 11 and 12 are sep-arably held together by means of bolts, cap screws, or studs 18 which are passed through plain drilled holes or bores 18a in the base portion 13 of section 11 which bores are countersunk or recessed at 18b. They are then threaded into holes or sockets 19 in the base of the opposite tool section 12. A similar third screw 21 is passed through a drilled countersunk bore 21a in the outer end portion of upper that itbeheld firmly in position so that there is no relative movement between the blade and the said supporting frame or holder. Moreover, it is desirable that the blade be supported in a manner which permits its adjustment relative to its pocket or socket in the frame so that the amount of cutting edge which extends into the crotch-like portion 9 of the tool 10 can be controlled in accordance with the particular gauge of the cable or wire to be stripped. As shown, a pair of parallel slots or openings 20 is provided in the base portions of each of the sections 11 and 12. The slots 20 are surrounded by cut-out, or countersunk portions 29a in the outer faces or surfaces of the base portions 13, 13 (FIG. 2) to provide, in effect, to receive blade engaging and adjusting means or bolt members 23 and their hexagonal securing nuts 24. Thus, the heads of screws or bolts 23 and the nuts 24 lie flush with the outer surfaces or faces of both of the base portions 13,'see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

In the novel insulation stripper of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a double-edge blade B is employed. Thisblade is'of the commonly known Gillette type and has the usual two cutting edges B and cutting edge corners B After a blade is assembled with the frame portions 11 and 12 and the securing bolts 18 and 21 threaded into position, the

bolts or screws 23 are passed through the parallel slots or openings 20 and likewise through the conventional openings located generally in the center of blade B. The hexagonal nuts 24 which are located within the grooved openings 20 at the opposite side of the stripper body and which fit with sufficient closness to prevent their turning when the bolts 23 are screwed down, receive said bolts and hold the parts 11 and 12 and the blade B rigidly together as a unit.

It is to be understood that when blade B is positioned in pocket and between the two halves 11 and 12, the top cutting edge B of said blade is disposed in the space between the upper and lower portions of the tool body and will thus extend into the so-called crotch-like portion 9 thereof, as may be seen clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As-may be seen clearly in FIG. 1, when the parts '11 and 12 are assembled, there remains a relatively narrow longitudinal slot or space 14a between the two halves 17a, 17a of the trough or channel 17. By virtue of the presence of this lengthwise slot 14a, one corner, in this instance, corner B of the cutting edge of blade B projects upward into said trough. This may be seen clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3.

If it is decided to adjust blade B so as to vary the amount of projection or extension of the corner 13 into the channel or trough 17, as well as the amount of projection of the cutting edge B into the crotch-like portion 9, it is simply necessary to back off the bolts 23 and to shift them up or down lengthwise of the slots 20, a, until the cutting edge B has assumed the desired position, after which the bolts 23 are again tightened down to hold the blade B fixed in position against accidental shifting movement relative to its supporting frame .or holder 10.

The amount of projection of the cutting edge B of the blade B into the space 9 between the legs or arms of the stripper is determined and controlled in accordance with the over-all diameter or gauge of the cable or wire 30 whose insulation is to be stripped.

Referring now especially to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the stripper body 10 is shown supporting a cutter blade C of the single-edge type, having a cutting edge C, a thickened reinforcing heel or portion C and two sharp corners C As mentioned above, the lower portion of pocket 15 is of ample Width to loosely receive the thickened portion C has a pair of spaced parallel transverse slots,'or openings 25, through which the bolts 23 are passed. As in the preceding form, cutting edge C extends upwardly from the pocket 15 and into the crotch-like space 9 (see FIG. 4) between the upper and lower parts of portions 14 and 13, respectively, of the stripper, while one sharp corner C of the cutting edge of the blade projects through the slot 14a in the trough or channel 17, see FIG. 4.

The novel stripper of the instant invention provides a single, common cutting means to perform the dual functions of both slitting the insulation of a wire or cable longitudinally, and of crosscutting, or severing, the slit portion of said insulation, with the same stripping device or unit. The position of the parts and the insulated cable or wire are perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. In FIG. 4, a length of cable or wire 30 is shown positioned lengthwise of trough 17 and in readiness to have the sheath of insulation thereon slit longitudinally. The same cable or wire 30 is shown in position in the stripper, crosswise thereof, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, with the insulation on the cable being in contact with the upper leg 14 and the cutting edges B or C" of the blades B and C.

The application of thumb pressure on the cable 30 as it is positioned in the'trough 17, see FIG. 4, and the relative movement of the cable and the stripping tool 10, will cause the sharp corner C at the left end of blade C to slit the insulation on the cable. Such a longitudinal slit is shown at 34 in FIG. 8. a

When the cable 30 is placed crosswise in the crotch-like portion 9, between the upper and lower portions or members of the stripper, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, rotation of said cable 30 relative to the stripping tool, or the rotation of the shipping tool 10 around the cable 30, will cross-cut the same and thus produce the circumferential cut or severed portion 35 in the sheath of insulation as shown in FIG. 8.

Merely by way of illustration, FIG. 8 shows a short length of one type of insulated cable with which the tool of the present invention is used. In this view the cable is shown as a whole at 30 and comprises preferably a fibre core 31, surrounded by a multiple of twisted in sulated wires 32 which are enclosed by a sheath-like covering or jacket 33 of insulating material such, for example, as rubber, plastic, or the like. I

As stated above, FIG. 8 shows the relative positions of the longitudinal slit 34, made by the blade edge corner B or C of either blade B, or C and the intersecting circumferential cross-cut 35, which is made by the cutting edge B or 'C.

I claim:

'1. A tool having a body adapted to be provided with detachable cutting means for the successive operations of longitudinally slitting and for cross cutting the insulation from a length of insulation-covered wire or cable, said body having a cutter blade holding portion and a wire or cable receiving trough containing portion extending therefrom in diverging relationship thereto to provide a wedge-like crotch portion therebetween, said blade holding portion having a pocket formed therein opening toward the trough-containing portion to receive and removably support a cutting blade, means for holding the blade rigidly in position, and said trough containing portion having a longitudinally extending slot therethrough opposite and in alignment with the pocket opening, whereby when a cutter blade is disposed in said pocket a porslitting the same longitudinally.

2. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid body is of substantially V-sha-ped contour.

3. A tool according to claim 2, wherein the generally V-shaped body thereof is formed from two like portions separably held together.

4. A tool according to claim 2, wherein the generally V-shaped body thereof is formed from two substantially like portions, wherein the cutter blade receiving and supporting pocket is disposed between the two substantially like portions, and wherein means is provided for separably holding said two portions together as a unit.

5. A tool according to claim 4, wherein said means includes bolts and nuts engageable with a blade in said pocket and adjustable transversely of the cutter blade holding portion for varying the amount of exposure of the blade edge within the crotch portion and the amount of projection of said blade corner into said trough.

6. A tool for stripping insulation from a wire or cable, comprising, in combination, a substantially V-shaped body formed from two substantially like parts releasably held together and adapted to receive and support a cutter blade therebetween, releasable means for holding the two parts together, one leg of said V-shaped two-part body being wider in one dimension than the other leg and having a blade receiving pocket therein, the other leg having a longitudinal wire or cable-receiving trough in its outer face, the legs of said body providing a crotch-like space in the vicinity of their juncture, the inner abutting faces of the two parts forming the body having registering recessed portions which together provide said blade receiving pocket, and means for maintaining a blade in the pocket with a cutting edge thereof disposed Within said crotch-like space and having a corner of said edge projecting beyond said pocket and into said trough, whereby said cutting edge and said corner provide, respectively, means for cross cutting the insulation on a wire placed in said crotch-like space and for slitting the same longitudinally when placed in said trough.

7. A wire insulation stripping tool according to claim 6, wherein said last-named means is adjustable transversely of the wider leg so as to adjust the blade to expose more or less of its cutting edge and said corner in said crotch-like space and in said trough, respectively.

8. A wire insulation stripping tool according to claim 6, wherein said last-named means is adjustable and includes a pair of spaced parallel transverse slots in the wider leg of the two-part body, said slots being in registry when the parts are assembled, and bolt and nut assemlies in said pairs of slots engageable with the blade and being adjustable lengthwise of the said slots.

9. A tool according to claim 8, wherein the pairs of pairs of parallel slots have exposed countersunk marginal portions to receive the bolt heads and nuts of the assemblies so as to lie flush with the outer faces of said wider leg.

10. A portable insulation stripping tool having, in combination, a body of generally V-shaped contour, comprising divergent leg portions providing a crotch-like space therebetween, one of said legs having a longitudinal concavity therein forming a trough to receive a length of insulated Wire or cable, the other leg having a cutter blade-receiving pocket therein opening into said crotchlike space, and stripping means comprising a cutter blade removably but firmly disposed in said pocket and having a portion of a cutting edge thereof extending into the crotch-like space for cross-cutting the insulation on a wire placed in said space, with an end of said cutting edge projecting into the trough for longitudinally slitting the insulation on a wire when placed lengthwise therein and moved relatively thereto.

11. A stripping tool according to claim 10, wherein means is provided for releasably locking the stripping means in said pocket.

12. A stripping tool according to claim 10, wherein adjustable means is provided for releasably locking the stripping means in the blade-receiving pocket, and Wherein said adjustable means includes slots in the tool body and bolt and nut assemblies cooperable with said slots and stripping means whereby to control the extent of exposure of the cutting edge of the blade into the crotchlike space and the amount of projection of the end of said cutting edge into said trough in direct proportion to the gauge of the insulated Wire or cable to be stripped.

13. A stripping tool according to claim 12, wherein the tool body is formed from two substantially identical parts releasably held together in fiatwise relationship by means of studs having countersunk heads.

14. A tool for stripping insulation from a wire or cable, comprising in combination, a body having angularly disposed portions joined together so as to provide a crotch therebetween, one of said portions having an external Wire-receiving trough formed therein, and the other body portion having a blade-receiving and supporting pocket therein opening toward said crotch and in alignment with said trough, and a single cutter blade in said pocket, said body being so proportioned and arranged that when the cutter blade is located in the pocket a cutting edge thereof extends into said crotch and a corner of said cutting edge projects into the trough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,214 Genin Oct. 19, 1915 1,739,972 Klinger Dec. 17, 1929 2,875,516 Parks Mar. 3, 1959 2,984,905 Harmon May 23, 1961

Claims (1)

1. A TOOL HAVING A BODY ADAPTED TO BE PROVIDED WITH DETACHABLE CUTTING MEANS FOR THE SUCCESSIVE OPERATIONS OF LONGITUDINALLY SLITTING AND FOR CROSS CUTTING THE INSULATION FROM A LENGTH OF INSULATION-COVERED WIRE OR CABLE, SAID BODY HAVING A CUTTER BLADE HOLDING PORTION AND A WIRE OR CABLE RECEIVING TROUGH CONTAINING PORTION EXTENDING THEREFROM IN DIVERGING RELATIONSHIP THERETO TO PROVIDE A WEDGE-LIKE CROTCH PORTION THEREBETWEEN, SAID BLADE HOLDING PORTION HAVING A POCKET FORMED THEREIN OPENING TOWARD THE TROUGH-CONTAINING PORTION TO RECEIVE AND REMOVABLY SUPPORT A CUTTING BLADE, MEANS FOR HOLDING THE BLADE RIGIDLY IN POSITION, AND SAID TROUGH CONTAINING PORTION HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOT THERETHROUGH OPPOSITE AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE POCKET OPENING, WHEREBY WHEN A CUTTER BLADE IS DISPOSED IN SAID POCKET A PORTION OF A CUTTING EDGE THEREOF EXTENDS INTO SAID CROTCH PORTION WHILE A CORNER OF SAID CUTTING EDGE PROJECTS THROUGH THE LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOT IN SAID TROUGH CONTAINING PORTION AND INTO THE TROUGH TO PROVIDE, RESPECTIVELY, MEANS FOR CROSS CUTTING THE INSULATION AND FOR SLITTING THE SAME LONGITUDINALLY.

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