Adjustable-mid-span stripper for wire and cable

Abstract

A tool for removing insulation from mid-span of a conductor cable which includes a frame with first and second jaw members, one of which is slidably mounted on the frame to close and cooperate with the other jaw member to secure cable in the tool for rotation of the frame relative to the cable. A circular ringing knife blade assembly is slidably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from cable secured in the jaw members and upon extension of the circular knife blade and at least one full rotation of the frame in a first direction relative to the cable, the circular knife blade scores the jacket along a closed cut around the complete periphery of the cable. An insulation stripping assembly includes at least one blade edge for removing the radial thickness of the insulation from the cable. The blade edge is at a constant, fixed cutting angle and is mounted for movement along a straight line toward and away from the cable. An adjustable depth-limiting menas sets the maximum extension of the blade edge. Upon rotation of the tool frame in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the cable, the blade edge cuts and lifts the insulation from the cable conductor. A second blade edge is mounted adjacent the first blade edge to cut the jacket in a helical direction and helically strip the insulation as the frame is rotated about the cable.