Single filament fiber optic cable parting tool

Claim 1

A single filament fiber optic cable parting tool comprising: first and second members movably attached at a common pivot point; first and second internal recesses contiguously aligned in said first and second members, respectively, and extending radially from said pivot point; an anvil member configured and dimensioned to be slidably supported in said internal recesses and having an anvil face for positioning said single filament fiber optic cable thereon; a cutting edge resiliently supported for being drawn across said anvil face to score said single filament fiber optic cable at a selectively determined point; first and second opposed lever members attached to said first and second members, respectively, by pins extending through upper and lower pairs of slots in said first and second members for permitting inward and upward movement of said lever members relative to said anvil member; first and second upper gripping surfaces extending from said first and second members, respectively; and first and second lower gripping surfaces extending from said first and second lever members, and disposed to engage said first and second upper gripping surfaces for frictionally gripping opposite sides of said single filament fiber optic cable upon the upward movement of said lever members responsive to initial actuation of said lever members toward each other; whereby further actuation of said lever members toward each other causes coordinated opposed pivotal movement of first and second members with said first and second lever members, exerting opposite stresses on said fiber optic cable and parting it at said selectively determined point.