Abstract:
A cable stripper is comprised of two components, each component including a main body portion, a coupling device at one end of the main body portion and a T-shaped handle disposed at an opposite end of the main body portion. The coupling device rotatably couples the two components together. A channel runs along an interior length of each of the main body portions, which provides a path into which the cable to be stripped is inserted. A blade housing on at least one of the components of the main body portion securely holds a utility knife blade with a predetermined amount of the tip or edge of the blade protruding into the channel. The exposed portion of the blade pierces the sheath or covering of the cable by a precise, predetermined amount.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/058,424 filed on Jun. 3, 2008 entitled “Flat Fiber Optic Cable Stripper”, which is incorporated fully herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to cable strippers and more particularly, relates to a two-piece cable stripper designed to score or penetrate the exterior layer of a cable. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     The jacket or covering of cables, such as, but not limited to, fiber optic cables, often need to be slit and removed from either the middle or the end of the cables during installation or repair. To accomplish this, a technician generally cuts or slices through the cable jacket using an open faced knife or a makeshift cable stripper. This activity, however, can be difficult and generally requires skill and strength particularly when the cable jacket is made of a hard material and a long length of cable jacket must be removed. The process can cut too deeply into the cable, causing damage to the core of the cable. In the case of fiber optic cables, the optical fiber itself can be damaged by excessive cable twisting or handling. In addition, a knife can slip causing injury to the technician. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a cable stripper that allows a user to easily, safely and precisely penetrate the exterior layer of the cable jacket either at an end of a cable or at any point along the length of a cable. The cable stripper should accommodate different types of cable, including, but not limited to, flat cables and round cables. The cable stripper should also be able to accommodate various dimensions of cable. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a device for cutting an exterior layer of a cable, the device comprising a first component and a second component, each of the first and second components having a main body portion having a length, an exterior side, an interior side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Each of the first and second components include a channel that runs along the entire length of the interior side of the first and second components. The first end of the main body portion of each of the first and second components has a T-shaped handle and the second end of the main body portion of the first component is designed to releasably and rotatably interconnect with the second end of the main body portion of the second component. The first and second rotatably interconnected components are configured for receiving a cable in the channel in the interior side of the first and second components. The invention also includes at least one blade housing, located on the exterior side of at least one of the first and second components within the main body portion, the at least one blade housing configured for securely and removably holding at least one blade in a position such that at least a portion of the at least one blade protrudes into the interior side of the at least one of the first and second components and at least partially into the channel of the at least one of the first and second components on which the blade is located. 
     A further aspect of the device allows the first and second components to be configured for being disconnected from one another. In order to splice the exterior layer of the cable, the cable is inserted into the device and the first and second components are configured for being rotatably connected and brought into a closed, confronting position whereby the interior portion of the first component contacts the interior portion of the second component. The device is further configured to cut the exterior layer of the cable when the first and second components in the closed position are advanced along a length of the cable. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second components of the device are identical in shape and dimension. The first and second components may be made from a plastic material. The plastic material is preferably an acetyl polymer plastic material which makes it “slippery” against the jacket of the cable to be cut or scored. 
     A further aspect of the present embodiment of the invention includes a first hingable interconnection member having a circular portion that contains one or more notched depressed areas in a central region of the circular portion. Additionally included is a second hingable interconnection member disposed in a spaced relationship with the first hingable interconnection member and having one or more notched raised areas. The one or more notched raised areas on the second hingable interconnection member of the first and second components are configured to be inserted into or removed from the one or more notched depressed areas of the first hingable interconnection member of the other of the first and second components. In an additional aspect, the first and second components of the device each further include a first arrow on a first side of the second end of the main body portion proximate the first hingable interconnection member, and a second arrow on a second side of the second end of the main body portion proximate the second hingable interconnection member. The arrows are configured for providing a visual indication of a position of the first and second components, wherein the first hingable interconnection member and the second hingable interconnection member can attach or separate only when the first and second arrows align, thereby providing a visual indication of a position when the one or more notched raised areas on the second hingable interconnection member of the first and second components are configured to be inserted into or removed from the one or more notched depressed areas of the first hingable interconnection member of the other of the first and second components. 
     An additional aspect of the present invention is the formation of a path by the channel of the first component and the channel of the second component when the first and second components are brought into a closed, confronting position against one another. The path that is formed has an oval shape designed to accept a flat, fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the path that is formed can have a round shape designed to accept a round, fiber optic cable. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the channel on each of the first and second components is configured to accept an insert that includes, on one side of the insert, a channel of a desired shape and size. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the at least one blade housing includes a first blade housing located on the exterior side of the first component and a second blade housing located on the exterior side of the second component. 
     In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the channel in the second component further includes an opening that allows a portion of the exterior layer of the cable removed by the at least one blade to exit the device. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the interior portion of at least one of the first and second components includes a plurality of channels that run along the entire length of at least one of the first and second components. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, the device for cutting or scoring the jacket or sheath of a cable comprises a first component and a second component, each of the first and second components having a main body portion having a length, an exterior side, an interior side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Each of the first and second components include a channel that runs along the entire length of the interior side of the first and second components. The first end of the main body portion of each of the first and second components has a T-shaped handle, and the second end of the main body portion of each of the first and second components includes a coupling device. The coupling device is configured for releasably and rotatably coupling the first and second components. Also included is a first blade housing, located on the exterior portion of the first component and a second blade housing, located on the exterior portion of the second component, for securely yet removably holding a blade and for allowing a predetermined amount of a tip portion of the blade to project into the channel of the at least one of the first and second components on which the blade is located. 
     In a further aspect of the second embodiment of the invention, a path is formed by the channel of the first component and the channel of the second component when the first and second components are brought into a closed, confronting position against one another. The path that is formed can have an oval shape designed to accept a flat, fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the path that is formed can have a round shape designed to accept a round, fiber optic cable. 
     In an additional aspect of the second embodiment of the invention, the channel on each of the first and second components is configured to accept an insert that includes, on one side of the insert, a channel of a desired shape and size. 
     In another aspect of the second embodiment of the invention, the interior portion of at least one of the first and second components includes a plurality of channels that run along the entire length of at least one of the first and second components. 
     In a further aspect of the second embodiment of the invention, the coupling device on the second end of the main body portion of each of the first and second components further comprises a first hingable interconnection member having a circular portion that contains one or more notched depressed areas in a central region of the circular portion. The aspect also comprises a second hingable interconnection member disposed in a spaced relationship with the first hingable interconnection member and having one or more notched raised areas. The one or more notched raised areas on the second hingable interconnection member of the first and second components are configured to be inserted into or removed from the one or more notched depressed areas of the first hingable interconnection member of the other of the first and second components. 
     It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of the cable stripper according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cable splitter according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an opened position; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up of the interior view of the cable splitter according to a first embodiment of the present invention showing the blade tips; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the disassembled blade housing of the cable stripper according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side planar view of the cable splitter of a first embodiment of the present invention as shown from the hinge portion end; 
         FIG. 6  is a side planar view of the cable splitter of a first embodiment of the present invention as shown from the T-shaped handle portion end; 
         FIG. 7  is a side planar view of the cable splitter of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the cable splitter of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective photo of the cable splitter of a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective photo of the cable splitter of a second embodiment of the present invention when the two parts are attached. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The cable stripper  10 ,  FIG. 1 , in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a hinge portion  12  a body portion  14  and a T-shaped handle portion  16 . The cable stripper  10  is preferably made from a relatively strong, weatherproof, durable material such as plastic, aluminum or composite material. The plastic material is preferably a smooth, high slip material that is self-lubricating, such as an acetyl polymer, which may be provided by Celanese Corporation, or another suitable plastic material. This type of generally “slippery” plastic material facilitates sliding the cable stripper along the length of a cable to be slit. The T-shaped handle portion  16  is arranged perpendicular to the body portion  14 . The body portion  14  further includes one or more blade housings  18  that hold and enclose a blade. The blade can be a knife blade, a utility knife blade, a mini blade, or any other suitable blade. The blade is used to penetrate the top, side and/or bottom portion(s) of a cable (not shown). The penetration can be in the form of a cut, splice, slice, or any other means of entering the exterior layer of the cable. The hinge portion  12  allows the body portion  14  to come apart into two pieces allowing the cable stripper  10  to be placed at any point along a given length of cable. 
     The body portion  14 ,  FIG. 2 , includes a first component  14 A and a second component  14 B. The first and second components each include a groove or channel  20  into which the cable will fit. The first and second components may contain one channel or they may contain a plurality of channels. The plurality of channels may vary in their size and shape. The channel can also accept an insert (not shown) that is fitted on one side with a channel of a desired size and shape. Each T-shaped handle portion  16  may also include a protrusion  22  that is sized and shaped to fit into a hole  24  in the opposite position in the other T-shaped handle portion  16  and helps secure the handle portions together when pulling the device along a length of cable. The cable can be a fiber optic cable, a copper cable, or any other type of cable. 
     The hinge portion  12 ,  FIG. 2 , is constructed and arranged such that the first component  14 A is separable from the second component  14 B allowing the cable stripper  10  to be placed over and around the cable at any point along the cable. The first component and the second component can rotate from an open position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to a closed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In a closed position, the protrusions  22  on the T-shaped handle  16  of the first component, if provided, will insert into the corresponding holes  24 , if provided, of the second component and vice versa. 
     In  FIG. 3 , blade tips  26  protrude a predetermined amount within the channel  20  in the body portion  14  of the cable stripper  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The blade tip  26  protruding into the channel only goes a predetermined amount or distance into the channel, but does not protrude beyond the top surface of the channel. As a result, the protruding blade tip  26  is contained completely within the channel and cannot cut someone who runs his or her fingertip along the top surface of the body portion  14 . The blade housing ( 18  from  FIG. 1 ), is constructed as a removable portion of blade housing  28 A and a fixed portion of blade housing  28 B (shown in  FIG. 4 ). The blade housing is sized and shaped to accommodate a blade. The blade can be a standard and readily available single edge utility knife blade available at hardware and department stores or a mini blade, or any other suitable blade. In a first embodiment, a screw passes through the utility blade from a removable portion of the attached blade housing  28 A into a corresponding threaded region in the fixed portion  28 B of the blade housing (this action is shown by the arrow in  FIG. 4 ). Once the blade  30  is inserted and the removable portion of the blade housing  28 A is attached to the fixed portion of the blade housing  28 B, the blade  30  will be held at an angle such that only a portion of the blade tip  26  will protrude through the channel  20  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). In this aspect of the invention, the blade housing has a fixed blade. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the blade housing allows for an adjustable blade. The adjustable blade can operate on a pivot, with a ratchet, or by any other operable means. The adjustable blade allows the blade tip to operate at variable depths. The adjustable blade may also be a custom adjustable blade. The custom adjustable blade will provide for a plurality of blades that may be color-coded or otherwise marked to allow for easy interchangeability by a user. The custom adjustable blade allows a user to switch the blade easily to allow the user to use the same cable stripper for different cable sizes and shapes. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the first and second components and corresponding hinge portions are shown in a detached position. The first component and the second component of the first embodiment of the invention are identical and interchangeable. Therefore, the first and second components of the first embodiment of the present invention can be fabricated using the same mold. The hinge portion  12  includes a first hingable interconnection member  12 A/ 13 A each having a circular portion  15 A/ 15 B that includes one or more notched depressed areas  17 A/ 17 B disposed along the circumference of the respective circular portions  15 A/ 15 B. If there are two notched depressed areas, they will be preferably located 180 degrees apart on the circumference. 
     The hinge portion  12  also includes a second hingable interconnection member  12 B/ 13 B that each include a protrusion  21 A/ 21 B, each of which includes one or more notched raised areas  13 B disposed on a peripheral region of the circular portion  19 B. The notched raised areas  13 B/ 19 B on the second hingable interconnection member  12 B are designed and configured to be inserted into the one or more notched depressed areas  17 A/ 17 B of the first hingable interconnection member  12 A/ 13 A. Once the first component is connected to the second component, a rotatable connection is formed. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the blade housing is shown in a 3-dimensional format to show the angle of the blade  30  within the blade housing  28 .  FIG. 6  also shows the first and second components in a detached, spaced apart position.  FIGS. 5 and 6  also detail the assembly of the blade housing including the placement of the screw  32  through the removable portion of the blade housing, through the blade, and through the fixed portion of the blade housing. 
     The cable stripper illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  is designed to slit the top (and/or bottom) region of a cable. The cable is preferably an oval shaped flat cable, such as a flat fiber optic cable.  FIG. 7  illustrates a cable stripper  50  of a second embodiment of the present invention having the blade oriented perpendicular to the cable. The cable stripper  50  includes a hinge portion  52 , a body portion  54  and a T-shaped handle portion  56 . The cable stripper  50  is preferably made from a relatively strong, weatherproof, durable material such as plastic, aluminum or composite material. The plastic material will be an acetyl polymer or other suitable plastic. The T-shaped handle portion  56  is arranged perpendicular to the body portion  54 . 
     The body portion  54  further includes one blade housing  58  that holds and encloses a blade  70  and is located on the first component. The blade may be a knife blade, a utility knife blade, a mini blade, or any other suitable blade. The blade  70  is used to penetrate the exterior layer or sheath of a fiber optic cable (not shown). The penetration can be in the form of a cut, splice, slice, or any other means of entering the exterior layer of the cable. The blade edge  66  protrudes perpendicular to a cable a predetermined amount within the channel  60  in the body portion  54  of the cable stripper  50  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The blade housing  58  is constructed of a clamping member  74  and one or more screws  72 . Preferably the blade is held by a first screw  72 A and a second screw  72 B. The blade housing is sized and shaped to accommodate the knife blade  70 . One or more screws  72  pass through the clamping member  74  into a corresponding threaded region in the blade housing  58 . Once the blade  70  is secured, the blade  70  will be held at an angle perpendicular to the channel. In this aspect of the invention, the blade housing uses a fixed blade. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the blade housing allows for an adjustable blade. The adjustable blade can operate on a pivot, with a ratchet, or by any other operable means. The adjustable blade allows the blade edge to operate at variable depths. The adjustable blade may also be a custom adjustable blade. The custom adjustable blade will provide for a plurality of blades that may be color-coded or otherwise marked to allow for easy interchangeability by a user. The custom adjustable blade allows a user to switch the blade easily to allow the user to use the same cable stripper for different cable sizes and shapes. 
     The body portion  54 ,  FIG. 8 , includes a first component  54 A and a second component  54 B. The first and second components may each include one or more grooves or channels  60  into which the cable will fit. The first and second components may contain one channel or they may contain a plurality of channels. For example, the first component may have one channel and the second component may have two or more channels. Alternatively, one of the components may not contain a channel. The plurality of channels may vary in their size and shape. The channels of either one or both of the first and second components can also accept an insert (not shown) that is fitted on one side with a channel of a desired size and shape. Each T-shaped handle portion  56  may also include a protrusion  62 , which is sized and shaped to fit into a hole  64  in the corresponding, opposite position in the other half of the T-shaped handle portion  56 , which helps lock the two handles together. The second component may be outfitted with one or more openings  76  that allow a portion of the exterior layer (jacket or sheath) of the cable that has been sliced off by blade  70  to exit the cable stripper  50 . 
     The hinge portion  52 ,  FIG. 9 , includes a first hingable interconnection member  52 A that has a circular portion that contains one or more notched depressed areas  53 A disposed within a central region of the first hingable interconnection member. The hinge portion  52  also includes a second hingable interconnection member  52 B that contains one or more notched raised areas  53 B disposed within a peripheral region of the second hingable interconnection member. The notched raised areas  53 B on the second hingable interconnection member  52 B are designed and configured to be inserted into the one or more notched depressed areas  53 A of the first hingable interconnection member  52 A. Once the first component is connected to the second component, a rotatable connection is formed. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in a closed form, with the first and second component attached and rotatably coupled to one another. 
     The present invention is not to be limited by any preferred or exemplary embodiments or features disclosed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.