Mechanism for adjusting depth of cut on wire and cable jackets

Abstract

A tool for stripping jackets from cable insulation comprising means for holding a portion of the cable and means for clamping the cable against the holding means and cutting the jacket. The clamping and cutting means includes a surface for bearing against the exterior of the jacket on the cable and a cutter member for cutting the jacket, the cutter member being adjustable toward and away from the cable to vary the depth of cut of the jacket of cable held in the holding means. A cable jacket clamping and cutting device may be mounted on a tool having a pair of perpendicular, intersecting channels for holding cable and a releasable, spring-loaded lever arm for urging the device against cable held in either of the channels at a point above the intersection of the channels whereby the tool is rotatable and slidable relative to the axis of the cable to cut the cable jacket around its circumference and parallel to the axis. The device comprises a housing having means for mounting on the lever arm; a surface on the housing lower side for bearing against the exterior of the jacket to clamp cable in either of the channels; and a cutter member for cutting the jacket. A vertical shaft having threads on at least a portion of its exterior secures the cutter member. An annular knob rotatable in the housing having interior threads mating with the shaft threads moves the shaft and the cutter member toward and away from the cable to vary the depth of cut of the jacket of cable held in either of the channels.