Patent US3846894A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3846894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and tool for preparing three conductor-cable for electrical fixture
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 1973-08-23
•
Granted: 1974-11-12
•
Expires: 1993-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and a tool are provided for simultaneously exposing the conductors of sheathed three conductor-cable having at least two insulated conductive wires and a central ground wire at a selected position along the length thereof without severing the conductive wires and without disturbing the insulation of the individual conductive wires, while simultaneously spacing the conductive wires relative to the ground wire in a configuration conforming to a specially designed electrical fixture. The apparatus includes a cutting assembly having a pair of spaced blade members each having a point for piercing the sheath of the cable on respective opposite sides of the ground conductor when brought into engagement with the cable, a pair of slicing edges extending away from the piercing point for slicing the cable sheathing as the blade assembly is brought into closer engagement with a clamping assembly holding the cable in fixed position, and a wedge portion extending outwardly from the slicing edges for wedging the insulated conductors on either side of the ground conductor laterally away from the ground conductor. The tool is a hand-operated device having a clamping assembly disposed on one end of an actuating arm, a cutting assembly disposed on the end of another actuating arm, and means pivotally connecting the actuating arms for cooperably engaging and disengaging the cutting assembly and clamping assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 S Parsons
- 👤 J Kloth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:10
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/12; H02G1/1295; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/01; H01R43/015; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A tool for preparing a sheathed cable having two outer insulated conductors at opposite sides of a central conductor for electrical connection to an electrical fixture having transversely spaced electrical contacts therein without severing said conductors, said tool comprising: a first clamping jaw, an anvil mounted on said first clamping jaw and having a supporting surface arranged to extend along and support the central portion of said cable, said anvil being narrower than the space between said outer conductors, a pair of cable gripping members mounted on said first clamping jaw for movement between an inner position at which they grip and support opposite outer portions of such cable supported on said anvil, and an outer position at which they grip and support said outer portions after lateral deflection of said outer conductors for respective engagement with said contacts, yieldable means biasing said cable gripping members toward said inner position, a second clamping jaw, a pair of cutting blades mounted on said second clamping jaw, said cutting blades having cutting edges extending parallel to one another adjacent opposite edges of said anvil and wedging surfaces extending rearwardly and outwardly at an acute angle from said cutting edges, and means to cause relative movement of said first and second clamping jaws toward one another to cause said cutting edges first to slice through the sheath of a cable supported on said anvil along two parallel lines approximately coinciding with the inner sides of the outer conductors therein and then to cause said wedging surfaces to bend said outer conductors outwardly away from said central conductor, said gripping members being thereby forced outwardly against the resistance of said yieldable means to said outer positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A tool for preparing a sheathed cable having two outer insulated conductors at opposite sides of a central conductor for electrical connection to an electrical fixture having transversely spaced electrical contacts therein without severing said conductors, said tool comprising: a first clamping jaw, an anvil mounted on said first clamping jaw and having a supporting surface arranged to extend along and support the central portion of said cable, said anvil being narrower than the space between said outer conductors, a pair of cable gripping members mounted on said first clamping jaw for movement between an inner position at which they grip and support opposite outer portions of such cable supported on said anvil, and an outer position at which they grip and support said outer portions after lateral deflection of said outer conductors for respective engagement with said contacts, yieldable means biasing said cable gripping members toward said inner position, a second clamping jaw, a pair of cutting blades mounted on said second clamping jaw, said cutting blades having cutting edges extending parallel to one another adjacent opposite edges of said anvil and wedging surfaces extending rearwardly and outwardly at an acute angle from said cutting edges, and means to cause relative movement of said first and second clamping jaws toward one another to cause said cutting edges first to slice through the sheath of a cable supported on said anvil along two parallel lines approximately coinciding with the inner sides of the outer conductors therein and then to cause said wedging surfaces to bend said outer conductors outwardly away from said central conductor, said gripping members being thereby forced outwardly against the resistance of said yieldable means to said outer positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tool as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second clamping jaws are respectively mounted on two pivotally connected operating arms in a pliers-like hand tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tool as described in claim 1 wherein said yieldable means comprises a single spring acting upon both said gripping members, whereby their resistances to outward movement are always balanced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A tool as described in claim 2 wherein said operating arms are also respectively provided with cooperating clamping jaws which are adapted to support two portions of the housing of an electrical fixture and press them together around the prepared cable from opposite sides thereof to cause said electrical contacts to engage the separated conductors, slice through the insulation thereof and make electrical contact therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A tool for preparing a three conductor cable for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising: means for clamping said cable with the central conductor thereof in a fixed position, a cutting assembly including a pair of blade members each being capable of being moved from a preoperative position out of engagement with said cable to a fully operative position between said central conductor and one other of said three conductors, and means interconnecting said clamping means and said cutting assembly for moving said blade members from said preoperative position to said fully operative position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A tool for preparing a three conductor cable for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising: means for clamping said cable with the central conductor thereof in a fixed position, a cutting assembly including a pair of blade members each being capable of being moved from a preoperative position out of engagement with said cable to a fully operative position between said central conductor and one other of said three conductors, and means interconnecting said clamping means and said cutting assembly for moving said blade members from said preoperative position to said fully operative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A tool as set forth in claim 5, wherein said Clamping means comprises: a pair of cable gripping members for holding said cable, means for biasing said gripping members toward said cable, and an anvil positioned between said gripping members to be in alignment with said central conductor when said cable is held by said gripping members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tool as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said gripping members is individually pivotally mounted, and wherein said biasing means is a spring extending between said gripping members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tool as set forth in claim 6, wherein said anvil is of a slightly greater width than the diameter of said central conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tool as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said blade members comprises: a piercing point for penetrating the sheath of said cable, and a pair of slicing edges oppositely extending from said piercing point for cutting said sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tool as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said blade members further comprises: a wedging surface extending outwardly from said slicing edges for separating said one other of said three conductors from said central conductor as said blade members move from said preoperative position to said fully operative position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
209 words
A tool for preparing a sheathed three conductor cable of the type including two individually insulated conductors and a central noninsulated ground conductor for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising: a clamping assembly for positioning and holding said three conductor-cable, said clamping assembly including a centrally disposed anvil and a pair of spring-biased gripping members for securing opposing sides fo said cable with the central conductor thereof being aligned with said anvil, a cutting assembly including a pair of spaced blade members each including a point for piercing the sheath of said cable on respective opposite sides of said ground conductor when aligned with and brought into engagement with said cable being held by said clamping assembly, a pair of slicing edges extending away from said piercing point on opposite sides thereof for slicing said sheath of said cable as said blade assembly is brought into closer engagement with said clamping assembly, and a wedge portion extending outwardly from said slicing edges for wedging said insulated conductors on either side of said central conductor laterally away from said central conductor; and hand grip actuating arms for each of said clamping assembly and said cutting assembly being pivotally connected for engaging and disengaging said clamping assembly and said cutting assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
209 words
A tool for preparing a sheathed three conductor cable of the type including two individually insulated conductors and a central noninsulated ground conductor for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising: a clamping assembly for positioning and holding said three conductor-cable, said clamping assembly including a centrally disposed anvil and a pair of spring-biased gripping members for securing opposing sides fo said cable with the central conductor thereof being aligned with said anvil, a cutting assembly including a pair of spaced blade members each including a point for piercing the sheath of said cable on respective opposite sides of said ground conductor when aligned with and brought into engagement with said cable being held by said clamping assembly, a pair of slicing edges extending away from said piercing point on opposite sides thereof for slicing said sheath of said cable as said blade assembly is brought into closer engagement with said clamping assembly, and a wedge portion extending outwardly from said slicing edges for wedging said insulated conductors on either side of said central conductor laterally away from said central conductor; and hand grip actuating arms for each of said clamping assembly and said cutting assembly being pivotally connected for engaging and disengaging said clamping assembly and said cutting assembly.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of preparing a sheathed three conductor-cable including two individually insulated conductors and a centrally disposed non-insulated ground conductor for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising the steps of: piercing said cable sheath on opposite sides of the ground conductor, slicing said cable sheath on both sides of said ground conductor and between said ground conductor and each of said insulated conductors without disturbing the insulation on said insulated conductors; and wedging the insulated conductors laterally away from the central ground conductor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of preparing a sheathed three conductor-cable including two individually insulated conductors and a centrally disposed non-insulated ground conductor for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising the steps of: piercing said cable sheath on opposite sides of the ground conductor, slicing said cable sheath on both sides of said ground conductor and between said ground conductor and each of said insulated conductors without disturbing the insulation on said insulated conductors; and wedging the insulated conductors laterally away from the central ground conductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of preparing a sheathed three conductor-cable as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cable sheath is simultaneously sliced on both sides of said ground conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combination tool for preparing a three conductor tool for assembly with a two-part electrical fixture and for assembling the fixture comprising: clamping means for holding said cable in a fixed position therein; cutting means including a pair of blade members each being capable of being moved from a preoperative position out of engagement with said cable to a fully operative position between said central conductor and one other of said three conductors in said clamping means; means interconnecting said clamping means and said cutting means for moving said blade members from said preoperative position to said fully opeRative position; means for securing one of said two parts of said fixture on said clamping means; and press means pivotally connected on said interconnecting means for movement between an engaging position with said fixture in said securing means and a disengaged position, said press means being operable by said interconnecting means during movement of said blade member from said preoperative position to said fully operative position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
165 words
A combination tool for preparing a three conductor tool for assembly with a two-part electrical fixture and for assembling the fixture comprising: clamping means for holding said cable in a fixed position therein; cutting means including a pair of blade members each being capable of being moved from a preoperative position out of engagement with said cable to a fully operative position between said central conductor and one other of said three conductors in said clamping means; means interconnecting said clamping means and said cutting means for moving said blade members from said preoperative position to said fully opeRative position; means for securing one of said two parts of said fixture on said clamping means; and press means pivotally connected on said interconnecting means for movement between an engaging position with said fixture in said securing means and a disengaged position, said press means being operable by said interconnecting means during movement of said blade member from said preoperative position to said fully operative position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tool as set forth in claim 14 wherein said clamping means are disposed on one end of an actuating arm, said cutting means are disposed on one end of another actuating arm, and said interconnecting means comprises means for pivotally interconnecting said actuating arms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A novel blade structure for use in a tool for preparing sheathed three conductor-cable for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising a metallic member having a generally dish configuration and including a piercing point, slicing edges extending oppositely from the piercing point and a wedging surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A novel blade structure for use in a tool for preparing sheathed three conductor-cable for assembly with an electrical fixture comprising a metallic member having a generally dish configuration and including a piercing point, slicing edges extending oppositely from the piercing point and a wedging surface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of manufacturing a blade structure comprising the steps of: forming a flat metal sheet in the configuration of at least one blade member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral end surface, an upper edge defined between said upper surface and said peripheral end surface and a lower edge defined between said lower surface and said peripheral end surface; bending said metal sheet into a dished configuration with said upper surface forming the inside of said dished configuration; and grinding said dish configuration metal sheet along a given plane whereby the lower edge, the upper edge and the remaining peripheral end surface all lie in a common plane, such that the lower edge provides a cutting surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of manufacturing a blade structure comprising the steps of: forming a flat metal sheet in the configuration of at least one blade member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral end surface, an upper edge defined between said upper surface and said peripheral end surface and a lower edge defined between said lower surface and said peripheral end surface; bending said metal sheet into a dished configuration with said upper surface forming the inside of said dished configuration; and grinding said dish configuration metal sheet along a given plane whereby the lower edge, the upper edge and the remaining peripheral end surface all lie in a common plane, such that the lower edge provides a cutting surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said blade member is dished upwardly from a given plane to provide at least two intersecting oblique surface, such that upon grinding the intersecting edge between said two oblique surfaces provides a piercing point and the edges of said oblique surfaces provide slicing edges.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a tool having a pair of cutting blades for slitting multi-conductor electrical cable of the type having a sheath thereover, the combination comprising: means for holding the cable in fixed position on said tool, said pair of cutting blades being mounted for engaging the sheath of said cable, force applying means for biasing said blades initially into engagement with said sheath and for progressively and pivotally displacing said blades wedgingly in penetration through said sheath for spreading apart portions of selected conductors of said multi-conductor electrical cable, and a wedge shape on said blades for progressively spreading apart selected ones of said conductors of said multi-conductor electrical cable during progressive wedging penetration of said blades into said sheath.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a tool having a pair of cutting blades for slitting multi-conductor electrical cable of the type having a sheath thereover, the combination comprising: means for holding the cable in fixed position on said tool, said pair of cutting blades being mounted for engaging the sheath of said cable, force applying means for biasing said blades initially into engagement with said sheath and for progressively and pivotally displacing said blades wedgingly in penetration through said sheath for spreading apart portions of selected conductors of said multi-conductor electrical cable, and a wedge shape on said blades for progressively spreading apart selected ones of said conductors of said multi-conductor electrical cable during progressive wedging penetration of said blades into said sheath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as recited in claim 19, wherein said blades have their cutting edges in abutting relationship for making a single slit longitudinally of said multi-conductor cable during progressive wedging penetration of said blades into said sheath.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
The structure as recited in claim 19, and further including: means on said tool for positioning and for retaining an end portion of said cable for slitting through the terminal end of said cable by said cutting blades, said means comprising a pair of opposed clamping and gripping members for engaging and receiving the cable therebetween, at least one of said clamping and gripping members being provided thereon with indicia for locating the terminal end of the cable in desired position between said clamping and gripping members for slitting the terminal end of said cable by said cutting blades.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 13, and further including the step of: slicing said cable sheath by a scissoring action of the blades penetrating progressively through the sheath to spread by wedging progressively outward selected portions of the indivIdual conductors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3531846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |