Abstract:
A pair of wire strippers with a specially designed tip to allow stripping of type NM or NMC cable inside of electrical boxes is herein disclosed. The upper portion of the tip, is bent at a ninety degree (90°) angle to the main body of the stripper. This angled tip contains cutting blades designed to conform to the profile of type NM or NMC cable, commonly known as “Romex.” Due to this angled configuration, the wire stripper blades can easily fit into small electrical boxes and strip cable near the back of the box, as opposed to conventional wire strippers which cannot be used in such close quarters. To aid in proper positioning of the tip of the wire stripper, a “Z”-shaped parallel offset is provided. The wire strippers can also be used outside of boxes in an equally effective manner, thus an electrician is not required to carry two (2) pairs of wire strippers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on May 22, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a hand tool and, more particularly, to a manually operated wire stripping tool which combines functions not previously available. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Anyone who performs laborious work will attest that nothing beats having the proper tool for a particular job. The proper tool can save time, save money, produce a higher quality job, reduces damage to equipment, and provides for the increased safety of a worker. Each field of the skilled trade has its own type of specialty tools, each performing a specialized task. Wire strippers are commonly used in the electrical field for stripping the outer sheath insulation off of type NM or NMC wire, commonly known as “Romex”. Simple manual wire strippers operate using a pair of opposing blades much like wire cutter with a notch to cut the insulation without cutting the wire. 
     While these types of conventional wire strippers work great on wire when it is outside of electrical boxes or similar confined areas, the close confines on the interior of such boxes, coupled with the wire size, makes it difficult or impossible to strip the insulation form the electrical wire near the rear of the box. Electricians typically try using straight blade utility knives to cut the insulation and pull it from the wire. This action however subjects the internal conductors to possible damage and accidental shorting at a later date. 
     Various attempts have been made in the past to overcome these problems and provide a means of stripping insulation from electrical wires. Among the relevant attempts to address these problems are several U.S. patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,177,741; 3,221,576; 6,718,848. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,991, issued in the name of Kinkade, discloses a combination electrician&#39;s tool comprising a pair of pivotally connected pliers having a two (2) cutting jaws which are used for cutting items such as wire and act as a hammering tool when in a closed position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,928, issued in the name of Undin et al., discloses a hand tool for automatically stripping insulation from the end of a wire comprising a pair of gripping jaws which provide a means of holding the wire and pair of cutting and stripping jaws which remove the insulation utilizing an actuating member and a driving member which drives the cutting and stripping jaws away from the gripping jaws. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,296, issued in the name of Muromoto, discloses a wire cover peeling tool comprising a gripped body, an operation lever, and clamp arm which are pivotally coupled to a receiving clamp. Two (2) sliding blades extend inwardly from the tip of the receiving clamp and provide a means of cutting a portion of the wire covering and extracting the covering from the wire core. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective, each of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: comprising a large wire gripping and cutting and insulation extraction mechanism; causing problems such as damage to the wire core or to adjacent components; or requiring the electric wire to be bent, moved, or pulled from its original position in order to remove the insulation; thus none disclosed a solution to the aforementioned problems. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for hand held cutting and stripping tools exist, particularly, U.S. Pat. Nos. D 285,527 and D 458,827. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus which provides a means by which type NM or NMC wire can be easily and safely stripped inside of electrical boxes. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent disadvantages and observed that there is a need for an angled wire stripper having a simple mode of operation for use in any tight quarters and providing nearly flush operation with a back portion of an electrical box and thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages. 
     To achieve the above objective, it is the object of the present invention to provide a wire stripping apparatus with an angled tip which provides a means to remove insulation from or cut a wire or cable core within a confined space. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus comprising a two (2) pivotally connected body halves, two (2) upper functioning ends, a compression spring, a latching clasp, a plurality of stripping recesses, and a wire cutter. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a two (2) body halves, each comprising an upper functioning end and a lower handle portion. The body halves are pivotally connected to one (1) another via a pivot pin extending through aligned holes in each body half and fastened. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide two (2) adjacent functioning ends comprising a lower portion having two (2) corresponding cutting blades, a cable stripping recess, and a plurality of variously sized wire stripping recesses in a parallel configuration to each body half and an upper portion comprising an offset “Z”-shape tip having two (2) consecutive opposing ninety degree (90°) bends and a cable and wire stripping recess in a perpendicular configuration to the body halves. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the functioning ends which provide a means for the cutting blades and stripping recesses to conform to the profile of common cable and wire. The angled configuration of the upper portion&#39;s tip enables the stripping recess to easily fit into any small electrical box and strip wire and cable near the back of the box. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a “Z”-shaped offset tip on the upper portion of the functional ends which enables proper positioning of the stripping recesses on the tip within a confined space and enables proper engagement of the handles while in use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of variously sized cable and wire stripping recesses comprising one-half (½) of a recess on each functional end which correspondingly engage around a diameter of cord or wire and cut and which are sized accordingly to only cut through the insulated sheathing and not damage the wire core. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic handle portion on each of the lower body halves which provide a comfortable and insulated means of gripping the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a compression spring which provides a means of resisting the compression of the two (2) handles as they approach one another thereby providing an expansion force and tending to separate the handles thereby improving the user&#39;s grip and opening the functioning ends for ease of insertion and removal of wire segments. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a clasping mechanism which provides a means of locking the handle portions together thereby putting the apparatus in a closed compact state for storage. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can also be used outside of electrical boxes in an equally effective manner, thus an electrician is not required to carry two (2) pairs of wire strippers. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for utilizing the angled wire strippers in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an angled wire stripper  10  with two (2) upper functioning ends  40  in a closed orientation, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the angled wire stripper  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a forward view of the angled wire stripper  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rearward view of the angled wire stripper  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an upper view of the angled wire stripper  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the angled wire stripper  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the angled wire stripper  10  with two (2) upper functioning ends  40  in an open orientation, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a close-up perspective view of the two (2) upper functioning ends  40  in an open orientation, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  angled wire strippers 
               20  body half 
               25  pivot pin 
               28  spring 
               29  clasp 
               35  handle 
               40  upper functioning end 
               42  upper surface 
               43  inner engagement surface 
               45  wire stripping recess 
               46  first cable sheath stripping recess 
               47  second cable sheath stripping recess 
               48  straight wire cutter 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 8 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an apparatus and method for removing insulation therefrom a wire, preferably electrical, especially wire residing within a confined space such as an electrical box. The angled wire strippers (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10  comprises two (2) body halves  20 , two (2) upper functioning ends  40 , and two (2) handles  35 . The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be introduced in three (3) or more models comprising specific wire stripping features particularly corresponding to a single wire gauge (see  FIG. 7  description). The body halves  20  and/or the upper functioning ends  40  would be formed of steel and/or other metals in a pressing or casting process. The handles  35  comprise a plastic or rubber covering applied thereto said body halves  20  at extremities opposite the upper functioning end portions  40  for comfort and electrical insulation thereof. In addition, the handle  35  is envisioned to be ergonomically designed to comprise curves to correspond with the silhouette of a human hand with the option of adding finger indentations (not pictured) therein. The apparatus  10  would be capable of being made in multiple sizes, styles, colors, and materials dependent on the type of wire to be stripped, the degree of confinement of where the wires are located, and the individual taste of the user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective and side views of the apparatus  10  are herein disclosed in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to comprise two (2) body halves  20  that are pivotally connected therewith one (1) another via a pivot pin  25 . The body of the apparatus  10  comprises a first body half  20  and a second body half  20  that are held in place via a pivotal pin  25  extending through aligned holes. Each body half  20  comprises an upper functioning end  40  further comprising an offset shape via two (2) consecutive opposing (90°) degree bends forming an offset “Z”-shape approximately one-quarter (¼) of an inch deep. Positioned at the distal end of each body half  20  prior to the pivot pin  25  is a handled portion  35 , and positioned at the proximal end of each body half  20  following the pivot pin  25  is a fixed upper functioning end  40 . The body halves  20  define a fixed upper functioning end  40  having an offset length being parallel therewith the longitudinal axis of said body half  20 , and a perpendicular length at an extreme proximal end portion as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The pivot pin  25  provides a conventional reversing rotary device and further comprises additional standard and expected features such as, but not limited to: a jaw expanding compression spring  28  and a latching clasp  29 . Said spring  28  provides an expanding force, thereby separating the handle portions  35  during use to improve gripping as well as opening the upper functioning ends  40  allowing easy insertion of wires therewithin. The clasp mechanism  29  provides a locking means thereto the apparatus  10  when in a closed state, thereby providing compact storage therewithin a toolbox or other storage place. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , forward and rearward views of the apparatus  10  are herein disclosed in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Prior to the pivot pin  25  resides a curved handled portion  35  ergonomically designed to comfortably fit within the hand of a user and configured to permit easy manual gripping by a user and arranged for squeezing together. The handle  35  projects from each body half  20  in generally the same direction as the longitudinal axis of said body half  20  and is formed integrally with said body half  20 . Further, the handle  35  comprises a covering of rubber, plastic, or the like to provide an electrical insulation thereby providing a degree of protection to the user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , top and bottom views of the apparatus  10 , are herein disclosed in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Perpendicularly disposed at each respective body half  20  are upper functioning ends  40  positioned at the proximal end of said body half  20 . The upper functioning ends  40  are envisioned to extend a limited distance therefrom the uppermost end of each body half  20 . The length of the upper functioning ends  40  is envisioned to be long enough to be capable of cutting and stripping wire cables and/or each respective wire residing therein whilst still be short enough to be capable of being inserted therein confined spaces, i.e. electric switch boxes. The angled design of the upper functioning ends  40  allows the user to cut and/or strip the wire cable and/or individual wires thereof, especially those that already reside therewithin a confined space, that would be typically difficult, if not impossible, to do with previous invention designs. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  with the two (2) upper functioning ends  40  in an open orientation is herein disclosed in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each upper functioning end  40  comprises an outer surface  42  and an inner engagement surface  43 . Therebetween the inner  43  and outer  42  surfaces describe the thickness of the upper functioning end  40  which is envisioned to vary upon the wire size and the confined location of the wire. Let it be known that the terms “outer” and “inner” are being used just for better clarification and is not intended to limit the scope of the apparatus  10 . The outer surface  42  of the upper functioning end  40  is herein referenced as being the surface at which faces away from the opposing upper functioning end  40 . The inner surface  43  of the upper functioning end  40  is herein referenced as being the surface which faces towards the opposing upper functioning end  40 . Consequently, when the handles  35  are forced inwardly upon receipt of user motion, the two (2) upper functioning ends  40  motion towards one (1) another until the two (2) engagement surfaces  43  contact one (1) another. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be introduced in three (3) or more models each comprising an inner engagement surface  43  comprising a wire cutter  48 , a first cable sheath stripper recess  46 , a second cable sheath stripper recess  47 , and a pair of wire stripping recesses  45 . Said recesses  45 ,  46 ,  47  and wire cutter  48  portions correspond thereto a particular cable size and wire gauge. The wire cutter  48  comprises a conventional straight bladed cutter approximately one (1) inch wide located adjacent thereto the pivot pin  25 , thereby providing maximum cutting leverage during use. Adjacent thereto the wire cutter  48  and toward the upper functioning end  40  is the first cable sheath stripper recess  46  which provides ovular-shaped corresponding openings particularly sized to receive and strip a sheath portion therefrom a standard multi-conductor cable such as, but not limited to a Romex type cable. Adjacent thereto said first cable sheath stripper recess  46 , also toward the upper functioning end portion of the device  10 , are a pair of standard wire stripper recesses  45  comprising corresponding semi-circular recess portions thereon opposing portions of the inner engagement surface  43  particularly sized so as to remove an insulation portion of a single wire. The second cable sheath stripping recess  47  provides similar cable sheath removal means as the aforementioned first cable sheath stripper recess  46  and is positioned along the angled portion of the upper functioning ends  40 , thereby providing access thereto a cable therein an electrical box or other confined area. Once the two (2) upper functioning ends  40  are brought together, the two (2) engagement surfaces  43  are in a parallel arrangement therewith one (1) another. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a close-up perspective view of the two (2) upper functioning ends  40  in an open orientation is herein disclosed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The stripping recesses  45 ,  46 ,  47  are disposed on the one (1) upper functioning end  40  cooperate with the opposing recesses  45 ,  46 ,  47  being disposed on the opposing upper functioning end  40 , thereby producing an opening sized to receive the wire or cable to be stripped therein. While the handles  35  are biased outward upon receive of the user, and consequently the inner engagement surfaces  43  are extended away from one (1) another, the upper functioning ends  40  present a plurality of stripping recesses  45 ,  46 ,  47  formed that are sized and shaped to strip wire cables and wires of various dimensions, so that different wire diameters to be stripped may be accommodated. The cable sheath stripper recesses  46 ,  47  are firstly envisioned to be capable of removing the outer insulation of an electrical cable such as ROMEX thereby exposing the individual wires residing therein. Secondly, it is envisioned that there be additional wire stripping recesses  45  sized and shaped to strip the outer insulation therefrom each wire of various gauges thereby exposing the inner metallic core, i.e. copper. 
     It is envisioned that a first cutting process using the first cable sheath stripper recess  46  thereat a proximal location or the second cable sheath stripping recess  47  positioned on the distal end of the inner engagement surface  43  of each upper functioning end  40 , be utilized to strip the outer insulation from the wire cable thereby exposing the wires therewithin. Following this action, a second cutting process is accomplished using the wire stripping recesses  45  positioned on the proximal end of the inner engagement surface  43  of each upper functioning end  40 , to strip each individual wire&#39;s insulation. Forcing the body halves  20  towards one (1) another, via squeezing the handles  30 , will force the upper functioning ends  40  together thereby engaging the stripping recesses  45 ,  46 ,  47  on the respective cable or wire. Once this action has taken place, the apparatus  10  may then be pulled in a parallel arrangement therewith the longitudinal axis of the body halves  20  to strip the insulation therefrom said cable or wire. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be configured as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 8 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: releasing the clasp  29 , thereby expanding the handles  35  apart; developing an opening defined between the engagement surfaces  43  of each upper functioning end  40 ; utilizing the first cable sheath stripping recess  46  in an unconfined area, if available, by squeezing the handles  35  together thereby closing the opening around said wire cable; utilizing said first cable sheath stripping recess  46  to cut through the outer insulation of the wire cable; pulling the apparatus  10  in a perpendicular arrangement therewith the longitudinal axis of the body halves  20  thereby stripping said outer insulation thereby exposing the individual wires residing therein; expanding the handles  35 , thereby developing an opening defined between the engagement surfaces  43  of each upper functioning end  40 ; utilizing the second cable stripping recess  47  by inserting said upper functioning ends  40  therewithin a confined space, i.e. electrical switch box; surrounding the wire cable with the second cable stripping recess  47  to remove said cable insulating sheath; pulling the apparatus  10  in a parallel arrangement therewith the longitudinal axis of the body halves  20  thereby stripping said outer insulation in like manner as the previously described first cable sheath stripping recess  46 ; utilizing the wire stripping recesses  45  to surround an individual wire with the wire stripping recesses  45 ; squeezing the handles  35  together thereby closing the opening around said wire; utilizing said stripping recesses  45  to cut through the outer insulation of the wire; pulling the apparatus  10  in a perpendicular arrangement therewith the longitudinal axis of the body halves  20  thereby stripping said wire insulation; and, removing the wire insulation. 
     The apparatus  10  discloses a pair of wire strippers with specially designed upper function ends  40  that may be inserted therein confined spaces, i.e. electric switch box, to allow stripping of type NM or NMC cable and/or individual wires thereby allowing the user to utilize only one (1) tool to perform multiple wire stripping functions. Let it be known that the apparatus  10  may also be used on exposed wire cables and/or wires as well as wire cables and/or wires that reside in confined spaces. 
     The upper functioning ends  40  comprises stripping recesses  45 ,  46 ,  47  designed to conform to the profile of type NM or NMC cable and wires of various dimensions and shapes. The upper functioning ends  40  comprise a parallel and a perpendicular length coupled thereto the body halves  20 . Consequently, when the handles  35  are biased open via the spring  28 , the upper functioning ends  40  move away from each other, thereby providing an opening between the two (2) engagement surfaces  43  of said upper functioning ends  40 . The perpendicular portion of each upper functioning end  40  makes the apparatus  10  ergonomically useful in confined spaces. 
     Spaced thereon the engagement surfaces  43  of the upper functioning ends  40  are cable stripping recesses  46 ,  47  sized and shaped to cut through the wire cable while not harming the wires residing therein. Further, wire stripping recesses  45  are also incorporated thereon the engagement surfaces  43  of the upper functioning ends  40  to cut through the wiring insulation while not harming the wire core residing therein. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.