Patent ID: 7503119

Claim:
An insulation stripping tool for removing the outer layer of insulation from an insulated electrical conductor ( 5 ), comprising: (a) a tool body ( 2 ); (b) knife means mounted on said tool body, said knife including a knife member ( 11 ) having a knife edge ( 11 a ) extending outwardly from said tool body; (c) clamping means for clamping to the tool body opposite said knife edge an intermediate transverse portion of the insulated electrical conductor, said clamping means including a pair of clamping jaws ( 1 a , 1 b ) pivotally connected with said tool body, thereby to permit pivotal displacement of said clamping jaws about a pair of parallel pivot axes between closed clamping and open released positions, respectively, said clamping jaws having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration and including on said intermediate portions two pairs of opposed adjacent lateral flange portions ( 20 ); and (d) connecting means connecting said clamping jaws for simultaneous pivotal movement relative to said tool body, said connecting means including interlocking pinion gear means ( 9 ) carried by said adjacent lateral flange portions, whereby upon displacement of said tool body relative to the insulated conductor, said knife edge severs the insulation layer of the conductor.