Patent ID: 7076862

Claim:
A tool for installing and removing a flexible flat cable with respect to a protective sleeve having a longitudinal opening therein, the tool comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis and a slot formed in the body longitudinally about the axis, the slot having a generally arcuate shape with a closed end on one side of the body, and an open end on an opposite side of the body, wherein, the open end forms a receptacle that is adapted to allow lateral ingress and egress of the flexible flat cable, and when a longitudinal section of the flexible flat cable is located in the slot, the longitudinal section of the flexible flat cable defines a chord having a dimension that is less than a lateral dimension of the longitudinal opening of the protective sleeve; and a shelf formed in the body adjacent to the open end of the slot that is adapted to capture a side edge of the flexible flat cable in order to retain the longitudinal section of the flexible flat cable in the body; wherein, the slot segments the body into a lower portion, having a bottom surface, and an upper portion; such that the shelf is connected to the upper portion, and the shelf lies in a longitudinal plane along with said bottom surface of the lower portion.