Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, an end connector compression tool, including: a body; supports to support a cable and uncompressed end connector parts; a compression member axially movable with respect to the body to fixedly attach the end connector parts to the cable by compression of the end connector parts; a handle rotatably attached to the compression member at a first pivot point; and a link rotatably attached to the handle at a second pivot point and to the body at a third pivot point, such that rotation of the handle from an open position to a closed position effects compressive fixed attachment of the end connector parts to the cable. The tool may have an integral coaxial cable stripping function included therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to axial cable connection compression tools generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel axial cable connection compression tool having a toggle action and, with variations of a basic form, is able to compress a wide range of end connectors. 
   2. Background Art 
   Coaxial cables are used in a wide variety of applications. Such cables have end connectors that are typically applied using a compression tool to interfit the component parts of the connectors. 
   A typical compression tool is limited in mechanical advantage. For example, with one commonly used compression tool, mechanical advantage increases from 4.5:1 at beginning of compression to only 15.25:1 at final compression position. This increases operator fatigue and reduces productivity, since a relatively high degree of manual force is required. Also, the end of the compression cycle is not clearly defined, thus allowing connectors, which require high loads, not to be fully compressed. Most compression tools are not configured for accessory products and thus are limited in the range of connectors that can be accommodated by one compression tool. 
   Furthermore, know compression tools do not have a conveniently used integral coaxial cable stripper. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a coaxial cable end connector compression tool that has a high range of mechanical advantage. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide such a tool that can accommodate a wide range of end connectors, with minor modifications thereto. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide such a tool that has a clear tactile indication of the end of a compression cycle. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide such a tool that can be economically manufactured. 
   It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a tool that has a conveniently used integral coaxial cable stripper. 
   Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, an end connector compression tool, comprising; a body; supports to support a cable and uncompressed end connector parts; a compression member axially movable with respect to said body to fixedly attach said end connector parts to said cable by compression of said end connector parts; a handle rotatably attached to said compression member at a first pivot point; and a link rotatably attached to said handle at a second pivot point and to said body at a third pivot point, such that rotation of said handle from an open position to a closed position effects compressive fixed attachment of said end connector parts to said cable. Said tool may have an integral coaxial cable stripping function included therein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a basic compression tool according to the present invention, the tool being shown in open, non-compressing, position. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the compression tool, the tool being shown in closed, end-of-compression-cycle, position. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the compression tool. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the compression tool. 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the compression tool in open position, with uncompressed end connection parts the end of a cable inserted therein. 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the compression tool in fully closed position, with the end connection parts and the cable assembled. 
       FIG. 7  is an end elevational view of the compression tool. 
       FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an embodiment of the compression tool employing auxiliary compression jaws. 
       FIG. 9  is an end elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the compression tool. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are top plan and end elevational views, respectively, showing the tool of  FIG. 10  configured to attach end connectors to one range of sizes of coaxial cable. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  are top plan and end elevational views, respectively, showing the tool of  FIG. 10  configured to attach end connectors to another range of sizes of coaxial cable. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the present invention, this one incorporating a stripping function. 
       FIG. 16  is a fragmentary, top plan view, taken along line “ 16 — 16 ” of  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other figures also. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a compression tool, constructed according to the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  30 . Compression tool  30  includes a body  40  with a compression tip carriage  42 , carrying a compression tip  44 , disposed in open channel  46  formed in body  40  for axial motion relative thereto, as shown by the single-headed arrow on  FIG. 1 . 
   As best seen on  FIGS. 3 and 4 , body  40  is actually two pieces  40 ′ and  40 ″ of stamped sheet metal separated, in part by a portion of plastic member  50  ( FIG. 3 ), in part by upper intermediate member  52  ( FIG. 3 ), in part by upper end member  54  ( FIG. 3 ), in part by lower immediate member  56  ( FIG. 4 ), and in part by lower end member  58  ( FIG. 4 ). 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , pieces  40 ′ and  40 ″ ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) are fixedly fastened together by suitable fasteners  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66 . 
   Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , a handle  70  is rotatingly attached to compression tip carriage at a first pivot point  72 . 
   As best seen on  FIG. 4 , handle  70  is actually two pieces  70 ′and  70 ″ of stamped sheet metal separated by a portion of a plastic member  80 , the two pieces being held fixedly together by suitable fasteners  82  and  84 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , an intermediate link  90  formed from stamped sheet metal is rotatingly attached at one end thereof to handle  70  at a second pivot point  92  and at the other end thereof to body  40  at a third pivot point  94 . First and second, upper and lower spring loaded jaws  100  and  102  are rotatingly attached, respectively, to upper and lower end members  54  and  58  by means of first and second upper and lower pins  104  and  106 . Upper and lower guard extensions  110  and  112 , respectively, are provided to protect jaws  100  and  102 . 
   Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the relative positions of pivot points  72 ,  92 , and  94  are an important aspect of the present invention in providing toggle action and the resulting wide range of mechanical advantage. Here, dimensions A, B, C, and D preferably are spaced the following approximate distances:
         A=1.0   B=8.0A   C=1.4A   D=8.4A.       

   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , compression tool  30  is shown in its fully closed position wherein dimension E=0.2A and dimension F=9.5A.  FIG. 2  also illustrates that tactile feedback is given when the end of a compression cycle is reached by the engagement of upper and lower stops  120  and  122 , respectively, formed as extensions of upper and lower plastic members  50  and  80 . A shoulder  48  formed on compression pin carriage  42  engages the end  49  of chamber  46  ( FIG. 1 ) to limit the degree of opening of compression tool  30 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the operation of compression tool  30 . Referring first to  FIG. 5 , uncompressed end connector parts  130  and an end of a coaxial cable  132  (shown in broken lines) are placed in chamber  46  and supported therein by spring loaded fingers  100  and  102  and compression pin  44 . Handle  70  is then rotated from the position shown on  FIG. 5  (also  FIG. 1 ) to the position shown on  FIG. 6  (also  FIG. 2 ). This action compresses parts  130  and fixes them to the end of coaxial cable  132  and the finished product is then removed from tool  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , to assist in loading unassembled parts  130  and end of coaxial cable  132  ( FIG. 5 ) into chamber  46 , finger pads  140  and  142  provided as extensions of spring loaded fingers  100  and  102  may be squeezed together to open the spring loaded fingers. A guard member  150  protects finger pads  140  and  142 . 
   Elements  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  110 , and  112  (all best seen on  FIG. 1 ), and  140 ,  142 , and  150  (all best seen on  FIG. 7 ) are formed in a single unit fixedly inserted into a transverse slot  160  defined in body  40 . 
   With the above dimensions, the mechanical advantage of compression tool  30  increases from 4:1 in the open (uncrimped) position ( FIG. 1 ) to 200:1 in a nearly closed (fully crimped) position ( FIG. 2 ), a substantial increase over conventional compression tools. This minimizes user fatigue and promotes high levels of productivity. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates basic tool  30  ( FIG. 1 ) with the addition of fixed and movable auxiliary jaws  200  and  202 , respectively, the tool being indicated generally by the reference numeral  30 ′. Elements similar or identical to those of tool  30  are given primed reference numerals. Fixed auxiliary jaw  200  replaces upper end member  54  ( FIG. 7 ) and is an extension of body  40 ′. Movable auxiliary jaw  202  is an extension of compression pin carriage  42  ( FIG. 1 ) and replaces upper intermediate member  52 . Movable auxiliary jaw  202  is guided in part by a pin  210  movable axially in a slot  212  defined in body  40 ′. It will be understood that tool  30 ′ may be used for attaching two different end connectors to cable (neither shown). 
     FIG. 9  further illustrates the components of tool  30 ′. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates basic tool  30  ( FIG. 1 ) with an end extension  300  and a sliding plate  302 , respectively, the tool being indicated generally by the reference numeral  30 ″. Elements similar or identical to those of tool  30  are given double primed reference numerals. End extension  300  replaces upper and lower end members  54  and  58  ( FIG. 7 ) of tool  30  and is fixedly clamped between pieces  40 ′″ and  40 ″″ of body  40 ″ ( FIG. 11 ). Sliding plate  302  replaces the elements in slot  160  ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ) and is movably held in slot  160 ″ by means of a ball detent lock mechanism  318  extending through end extension  300  and grippingly bearing against the sliding plate. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates tool  30 ″ configured to attach end connectors to a first range of cable sizes, with sliding plate  302  moved to an inactive position and held there by means of ball detent lock  318  such that a cable (not shown) is supported by end extension  300 . 
     FIG. 12  further illustrates the arrangement of  FIG. 11 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate sliding plate  302  moved to an active position and held there by means of ball detent lock  318  such that a cable (not shown) is supported by the sliding plate. 
     FIG. 15  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral  500 , the tool incorporating a stripping function. Since the stripping function may be used with any of the foregoing embodiments, only the features pertinent to the stripping function are given reference numerals and described. 
   Tool  500  includes a finger opening  510  disposed intermediate the ends of a handle  512 , the handle having a handle lock  514  disposed between the distal ends of the handle and one side of a body  516 . A compression pin carriage  520  has an opening  522  defined therethrough for the insertion therein of a coaxial cable (not shown). Compression pin carriage  520  has mounted on the near side thereof an insulation cutting blade  530  fixedly attached to the compression pin carriage by means of a threaded screw  532  and a locating pin  534 . On the far side of compression pin carriage  520  there is mounted thereto a notched cutting blade  540  fixedly attached to the compression pin carriage by means of a threaded screw  542  and a locating pin (not shown) similar to locating pin  534 . A return spring  550  is disposed between an upwardly extending flange  552  on compression pin carriage  520  and an upper intermediate member  554 , the compression spring biasing the compression pin carriage to the right on  FIG. 15 , thus causing handle  512  to move from the closed position shown on  FIG. 15  to an open position (similar to that shown on  FIG. 1 ) when handle lock  514  is released. 
     FIG. 16  illustrates more clearly the mounting of cutting blades  530  and  540 . 
   In the stripping operation, a coaxial cable (not shown) is inserted into opening  522 . Then, handle lock  514  is rotatingly released, thus permitting compression pin carriage  530  to move rearwardly on  FIG. 15 , forcing the coaxial cable against arcuate indentations formed on the two halves of body  516  and moving handle  512  to its open position. Insertion of a finger (not shown) in finger hole  510  and rotation of tool  500  about the coaxial cable causes cutting blade  530  to cut through the outer insulation layer on the coaxial cable, exposing the braided shield of the cable, and notched cutting blade  540  to cut to the center conductor on the cable. The cut material is then removed by pulling the coaxial cable from tool  500 . Tool  500  can then be used in the manner described above to crimp end connectors to the cable. 
   From the above description, it is apparent that minimal variations to a basic tool permit a wide range of connectors to be compressed by the tool or coaxial cable stripped by the tool. These connectors include those furnished by Thomas &amp; Betts (Snap-N-Seal), Gilbert (Ultra Seal), PPC (EXXL), and Antec (Digicon). 
   Having the handle behind the compression chamber offers the advantage of having easy access on MDU (multiple dwelling unit) enclosures and wall plate stub-ins. 
   Terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. 
   It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.