The Whitaker Corporation

Amp LLC

Gregory F Deuel

Kenneth F Folk

Marlin R Schollenberger

An apparatus (40) and method of use is disclosed for splaying the cut end of a wire shield (18) during termination of a coax cable assembly (10). The apparatus includes a block (42) having a flat surface (44) and a first hole (48) formed through the flat surface and into the block. A pin (52) is disposed in the first hole and is slidable therein. An end (60) of the pin extends out of the first hole (48) and is spring biased in that direction. A second hole (78) is formed axially through the pin and is sized to receive the insulated center conductor (20) of the cable assembly (10). A third hole (82) is formed in the block (42) and is arranged for receiving the prepared end of the center conductor (20) for initial splaying of the wire shield (18) by shifting the cable assembly off center to the third hole (82) and then moving it in an arcuate path about the axis of the hole. The center conductor is then removed from the third hole and inserted into the second hole (78) in the pin (52), causing the pin to engage the partially splayed wire shield (18) and to further splay it as the pin retracts into the first hole (48).

Apparatus and method for splaying the shield wires of a coaxial cable

A hand tool (40) is disclosed for terminating an optical fiber (26) of a cable (10) to a crimp contact (14) of a connector. The tool includes a carriage assembly (60) that utilizes a delicate spring (250) to provide a desired abutting force at the point of engagement of the optical fiber with the connector contact. The carriage (64) slides along a pair of guide rails (70, 72) rigidly held by a base (62). A counterweight (80) is also arranged to slide on the guide rails and is coupled to the carriage by means of two pulleys (106) and a thin steel cable (230) so that when the carriage moves in one direction the counterweight moves in an opposite direction an equal amount. The counter weight has a mass that is substantially equal to the combined masses of the carriage and the cable so that the system is balanced and unaffected by gravity or sudden movements, thereby assuring that the abutting force is maintained within desirable limits, even when the tool is tilted somewhat with respect to the horizontal plane.

Tool for terminating a fiber optic cable to a connector

A method and apparatus is disclosed for automatically positioning and forming a drain wire of a cable and then positioning the formed drain wire for automatic termination to a connector. Each cable is in turn rotated until a sensing whisker senses that the drain wire is in a known position. The drain wire is then formed by forming tooling and the cable is again rotated to position the formed drain wire in a desired angular position. A clamping mechanism maintains pressure on all of the cables thereby inhibiting rotation thereof except for the cable that is being processed.

Apparatus and method for positioning and forming a drain wire of a cable

The present invention is a hand operated tool for flattening a portion of a ribbon cable preparatory to installing a cable tap. The tool includes a set of rollers which are closeable upon the cable. The rollers are then rotated, first in one direction and then the other while varying the pressure on the rollers to effect removal of kinks and to generally flatten a portion of the cable.

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Manheim, PA, United States of America

Gregory F Deuel