Patent ID: 7059362

Claim:
A tool for tensioning safety cable to a predetermined tension limit, the tool comprising: a body adapting for operatively mounting the tool to a power assisted tool; a wheel and a faceplate attached thereto and mounted for rotation about an axis of the body substantially perpendicular to an elongate axis of the body for retaining cable wrapped around the wheel and allowing tension to be applied to the cable by rotation thereof, the wheel having a flared portion for wedging a cable against the faceplate and preventing tangential slipping of the cable about the wheel; a clutch, operatively connected to the wheel, for transferring a rotational force to the wheel, the clutch preventing rotational force from being applied to the wheel when a predetermined cable tension has been reached; an elongated nose extending from an end of the tool, a distal end of the nose having an aperture for passing the safety cable therethrough generally transverse to an elongate direction of the nose, the nose further having a passageway extending from a proximal end of the nose in the elongate direction to an intersection with the aperture, the proximal end of the nose being retained in the body; a plunger assembly mounted in the passageway in the nose for reciprocating motion therein, the plunger assembly having at least a portion thereof extending from the body into the passageway in the nose, the plunger assembly actuated by the power assisted tool; a barrel attached adjacent an end of the at least a portion of the plunger assembly between the nose and the body; a spring positioned about the at least a portion of the plunger assembly, the spring being generally compressed between the proximal end of the nose and the barrel for urging the plunger assembly in a direction away from the aperture; and a collar fixed to the tool for retaining the proximal end of the nose therein, the nose being slidably retained to the body and rotatable about the elongate direction for aligning the aperture at selected angular directions transverse to the elongate direction.