Abstract:
A tool for preparing a cable for connectorization. The tool has a portion for stripping a cable jacket and another portion for cutting fibrous strength elements, such as aramid strength elements, relative to the exposed fiber. The strength element cutting portion includes a blade enclosed in a cover that also serves as a handle for the tool. The cover also has a stop edge to ensure that a desired excess length of the strength element remains after cutting the strength element. The excess strength element length can then be used to connectorize the cable.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/604,755, filed on Feb. 29, 2012, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/730,702, filed on Nov. 28, 2012, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for preparing a cable for connectorization and more particularly to a hand tool for preparing a cable for connectorization and associated methods therefor. 
     Communications cables have communication components, such as optical fibers, and are often enclosed in a polymer jacket to protect the communication components. Fiber optic cables are often terminated with a field installable connector so that one or more fibers can be connected at an installation site. There are a number of tools available to facilitate field connectorization of jacketed fiber optic cables, and installation of connectors is labor-intensive. A typical cable preparation process includes the following steps: mark jacket to specified strip lengths; set marking device down; remove jacket stripping tool from the toolkit; remove jacket cover; replace jacket stripping tool to the toolkit (or set it down on a table/work surface); pick up marking device; mark aramid yarn to cut length; set marking device down; remove scissors from toolkit; cut yarn to length at the mark; and pick jacket stripping tool back up and continue subsequent installation steps. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first embodiment, a tool for preparing a cable for connectorization comprises a first handle having a stripper end, a second handle having a stripper end, the second handle being pivotably joined to the first handle, and a cutting feature disposed on the first handle. The stripper ends of the first and second handles are arranged to cooperate for removing a portion of a jacket of a cable, and the cutting feature is arranged on the first handle to sever a strength element of a cable. 
     According to a second embodiment, a method for preparing a cable for connectorization comprises providing a tool having a first handle having a stripper end, a second handle having a stripper end, the second handle being pivotably joined to the first handle, and a cutting feature, placing the cable between the stripper ends, removing an end portion of the jacket using the tool to expose strength elements, and using the cutting feature to sever the strength elements. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the Detailed Description. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a tool according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of a first handle of the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up perspective view of the first handle. 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the first handle. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a first handle with one handle cover removed. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a part of the first handle. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a part of the second handle of the tool. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are exploded perspective views of cover pieces of the first handle. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are close-up perspective views of a second embodiment of the disclosure having a quick release mechanism. 
         FIGS. 13-18  illustrate a cable preparation method using the tool of  FIGS. 1-10 . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an embodiment having a removable handle cover. 
         FIG. 20  is an isolated view of the cover of the tool of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the components of the tool illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a mounting piece of the tool of  FIG. 19  placed on a handle of the tool. 
         FIGS. 23-24  illustrate removal of the handle from the tool. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a tool  10  according to the present embodiments. The tool  10  can be structurally similar to a FO 103-T-250-J: Tri-Hole Fiber Optic Stripper tool available from RIPLEY®, under the MILLER® brand, that has been adapted to have the ability to cut strength elements such as aramid yarn, as described in further detail below. MILLER® Two-Hole Fiber Optic Strippers tools can also be adapted in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows the assembled tool  10 . The tool  10  has a first handle  22  and a second handle  24  by which the tool  10  is grasped during jacket stripping. The first and second handles  22 ,  24  are joined together about a pivot element  30 , such as a bolt, and pivot about an axis coincident with the element  30 . The first handle  22  terminates in a stripper end  32 , and the second handle terminates in a stripper end  34 . The ends  32 ,  34  each have notches  42 ,  44 , or cutouts, with sharpened inwardly-facing edges. When the handles  22 ,  24  are drawn together, the ends  32 ,  34  also close together so that the notches  42 ,  44  form apertures in which a cable to be stripped is held. A spring  46  biases the ends  32 ,  34  apart. The sharpened edges of the notches  42 ,  44  serve to penetrate the cable jacket so that it can be stripped from the cable. In the illustrated embodiment, each handle  22 ,  24  has two notches so that two aperture sizes are formed during operation, although additional notches can be included to form additional apertures to accommodate a greater range of jacket sizes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , at the gripping end of the tool  10 , the first handle  22  has a cutting feature  50  as an integral feature of the tool to render the cable preparation process more efficient. The cutting feature  50  includes a cutting element  55 , illustrated as a blade, surrounded by a cover  60  formed from first and second cover pieces  62 ,  64 . The cutting element  55  lies in a relief section  68  of an elongate metallic section  70  of the first handle  22 . The metallic section  70  is a unitary piece from which the notches  42 ,  44  are removed and in which the sharpened edges thereof are also formed. The metallic section  70  can also include a fixing piece  72 , such as a projection, that engages an aperture  78  in the cutting element  55  to in part fix the cutting element  55  to the first handle  22 . The second handle  24  also includes a unitary, elongate metallic section  80  with a cover  82 , such as of plastic. 
     In the assembled tool  10 , the cover pieces  62 ,  64  are closely fixed to opposite sides of the first handle  22  so that that cutting element  55  is securely held between the pieces  62 ,  64 . Screws or other fastening elements can be used to hold the pieces  62 ,  64  in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cover  60  includes one or more apertures that provide access to the cutting element  55  so that pieces such as aramid yarns or fibers can be cut during cable preparation. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cover piece  62  has a first cutting aperture  86  and the second cover piece  64  has a second cutting aperture  88 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first and second cutting apertures  86 ,  88  form a cutting aperture  94  in the cover  60 . The cutting aperture  94  exposes a cutting surface  102  of the cutting element  55 . A cable locating aperture or slot  98  provides a recess in the first handle  22  in which a cable sits during cable preparation. A stop edge  100  of the locating slot  98  is used to place the cable at a specified distance from the cutting element  55 . The cutting aperture  94  opens toward in inwardly facing side of the handle  22 , in other words, the aperture  94  faces towards the second handle  24 . Accordingly the blade  55  also faces inwardly in the tool  10 . The locating slot  98  is disposed toward an outwardly facing side of the first handle  22 . Reference number  106  indicates a distance corresponding to a desired for finished yarn after cutting. Distance  106  generally indicates a distance from the stop edge  100  to the cutting surface  102 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the first handle  22  the tool  10  with the second cover piece  64  removed. This figure illustrates the orientation of the cutting element  55  with respect to the cutting aperture  94  in the first handle  22 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of first metallic section  70  of the first handle  22 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second metallic section  80  of the second handle  24 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are exploded perspective views of the first and second cover pieces  62 ,  64 . The first cover piece  62  has apertures  110  in which tabs  114  in the second cover piece  64  engage to secure the pieces  62 ,  64  in place. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are close-up perspective views of a tool handle  222  having quick release locking mechanism. The handle  222  has a cover  260  formed from a single piece that slides over a metallic handle section  270 . Turning the locking screws  272  90 degrees allows the handle  222  to be slid off of the metallic section  270 . The cover  260  can thus be exchanged for a new cover, such as, for example, when the cutting element is dull. 
       FIGS. 13-18  illustrate a cable preparation method using the tool  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a cable  400  having a jacket  410  is positioned between the appropriate notches  42 ,  44  of the tool  10 . The ends  32 ,  34  are then closed around the cable  410  so that the sharpened edges pierce the jacket  410 . The cable jacket  410  can be marked to a specified strip length prior to this step. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , an end portion  430  of the jacket  410  is removed, exposing aramid yarn strength elements  440  and one or more fibers  450  within the jacket  410 . The end portion  430  can be pulled off by hand or by motion of the tool. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the partially prepared cable  400  is placed in the cable locating slot  98  in the first handle  22 . The end edge of the jacket  410  left after the end portion  430  is removed is pressed against the stop edge  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the aramid yarn strength elements  440  are pulled across the first cover  60  and into the cutting aperture  94 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the aramid yarn strength element  440  is severed over the surface  102  of the cutting element  55 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the fiber(s)  450  of the cable  400  extend past the severed strength elements  440 , and the cable  400  is now prepared for further installation steps. The length  460  that the aramid yarn strength elements  440  extend past the cable jacket  410  is a predetermined distance that is a product of the distance between the stop edge  100  of the cable locating slot  98  and the edge  102  of the cutting element  55 . In a typical application, the distance will be in the range of 7-17 millimeters. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a tool  510  according to yet another embodiment. The tool  510  has a first handle  522  and a second handle  524  by which the tool  510  is grasped during jacket stripping. The first and second handles  522 ,  524  are joined together about a pivot element  526 , such as a bolt, and pivot about an axis coincident with the element  526 . The first handle  522  terminates in a stripper end  528 , and the second handle terminates in a stripper end  530 . The stripping function of the tool  510  can work in the same manner as that of the tool  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . At the gripping end of the tool  510 , the first handle  522  has a cutting feature  540  as an integral feature of the tool to render the cable preparation process more efficient. The cutting feature  540  includes a cutting element  545 , illustrated as a blade, and a removable cover  550  in which the blade is disposed. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates the cover  550  separated from the tool  510 . The cover  550  has the form of a narrow, hollow housing having a passageway  561  that receives the handle  522 .  FIG. 20  also illustrates a mounting piece  560  which is also disposed within the passageway  561 .  FIG. 21  is a partially exploded partial view of the tool  510 . The arrangement of the component parts of the cover  550  is described below with reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 . The cover  550  is mounted to the first handle  522  by the mounting piece  560 . The mounting piece  560  has a mounting post  562  that is sized to be received within a mounting aperture  564  in the first handle  522 . When the cover  550  is slid over the mounting piece  560  and the handle  522 , the cover  550  and mounting piece  560  are secured on the first handle  522  by the engagement of the post  562  with the aperture  564 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the mounting piece has a relief section  568  in which the cutting element  545  sits in the assembled tool  510 , and a projection  570  that engages an aperture  572  in the cutting element  545  to secure the cutting element  545  in place. When the mounting piece  560  is placed on the handle  522 , the cutting element  545  is sandwiched between the mounting piece  560  and the handle  522  (shown in  FIG. 22 ). In the assembled tool  510 , the cover  550  extends over the mounting piece  560 , which is secured to the first handle  522 . The cover  550  is locked in place over the mounting piece  560  by a locking tab  576  that extends into a locking aperture  580  in the cover  550 . The locking tab  576  is hingedly attached on the mounting piece  560  to allow for engagement and disengagement with the aperture  580 . The cover  550  includes a cutting aperture  584  that provides access to the cutting element  545  so that elements such as aramid yarns or fibers can be cut during cable preparation. A cable locating slot  586  provides a recess in which a cable sits during cable preparation. A stop edge  588  places the cable at a specified distance from the cutting element  545 . Reference number  590  indicates a distance corresponding to a desired for finished yarn after cutting. Distance  590  generally indicates a distance from the stop edge  588  to the cutting surface of the cutting element  545 . In a typical application, the distance  590  will be in the range of 7-17 millimeters. 
     The tool  510  is designed for cable preparation in a manner similar to the method shown in  FIGS. 13-18 , and the same benefits and ease of operation in cable preparation can be obtained by any of the embodiments disclosed in this Description. The tool  510  has the additional feature of easy and quick removal of the cover  550 , so that the cutting element  545  can be removed and exchanged without tools or other special equipment. Referring to  FIGS. 23-24 , the cover  550  can be slid off of the first handle  522  by pressing the locking tab  576  so that it disengages with the locking aperture  580 , and pulling the cover  550  off the handle  522 . The cover  550  can be replaced on the handle  522  by pushing it back onto the handle so that the locking tab snaps back into the locking aperture  580 . 
     According to one aspect of the present embodiments, the cable preparation steps are accomplished with a single tool, so that at least one tool can be removed from the standard toolkit. According to another aspect, the yarn strength elements can be cut to a consistent length without a separate measuring step. 
     Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the disclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosure should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.