Device for removing coverings from elongated articles

Claim 1

A TOOL FOR STRIPPING A PART OF A COVERING FROM A CABLE, COMPRISING: A HOUSING CLOSED AT ONE END BY A CLOSURE PLATE HAVING AN OPENING FOR THE RECEPTION OF ONE END OF THE CABLE TO BE STRIPPED; A PISTON ASSEMBLY SLIDABLY RECEIVED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND FORMED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING OPENING IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE OPENING OF SAID CLOSURE PLATE FOR THE RECEPTION OF SAID CABLE; SAID PISTON ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FINGERS NORMALLY SPACED FROM THE CABLE BUT MOVABLE TO ENGAGE THE COVERING OF SAID CABLE; SAID PISTON ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDING AN ANNULAR CUTTING MEMBER COAXIAL WITH THE LONGITUDINAL OPENING OF SAID PISTON ASSEMBLY AND JUXTAPOSITIONABLE ABOUT SAID CABLE WHEN RECEIVED IN SAID HOUSING; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PISTON ASSEMBLY IN A DIRECTION BRINGING SAID CUTTING MEMBER TOWARDS SAID CLOSURE PLATE; AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID FINGERS TO ENGAGE THE CABLE COVERING DURING THE MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON ASSEMBLY, CAUSING SAID CABLE COVERING TO BULGE BETWEEN THE CUTTING MEMBER AND THE CLOSURE TO PLATE WHEREBY SAID BULGED PORTION WILL BE CAUGHT BETWEEN AND SEVERED BY SAID ANNULAR CUTTING MEMBER AND SAID CLOSURE PLATE.