Wire comb

Abstract

A device for combing and straightening wires or cables in an assembly. The device includes a plurality of passages extending therethrough each sized to receive a separate wire or cable. The device is pulled the length of the multi-wire or cable assembly thereby straightening the wires or cables.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A comb for assembly of wires or cables comprising: 
 a main body including a first combing portion with a forward facing outer surface, a rearward facing outer surface and a plurality of holes extending through said forward facing outer surface, said combing portion and said rearward facing outer surface, each of said holes being sized to allow a single wire or cable to extend freely through said combing portion, said main body further including a portion to allow grasping for moving said main body in a direction from said rearward facing outer surface toward said forward facing outer surface lengthwise along said wires or cables to comb and straighten same.    
     
     
         2 . The comb of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said main combing portion is plate shaped with a length, width and thickness, said length and said width are each substantially greater than said thickness.  
 
     
     
         3 . The comb of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said main combing portion is disc shaped with said plurality of holes arranged in a pattern to space the wires or cables apart.  
 
     
     
         4 . The comb of  claim 1  wherein there are at least as many holes in said combing portion as there are wires or cables in the assembly of wires or cables to be straightened.  
     
     
         5 . The comb of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said main body has a first handle and a second handle attached to said combing portion which is located between said first handle and said second handle to allow said main body to be grasped on opposite sides of said combing portion to pull said main body lengthwise along said assembly of said wires or cables combing and straightening same.  
 
     
     
         6 . The comb of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said main body has a second combing portion with a plurality of additional holes extending therethrough, each of said additional holes being sized to allow a single wire or cable to extend freely through said combing portion, said first combing portion and said second combing portion are connected together and include a handle to allow grasping for moving said main body in a direction from said rearward facing outer surface toward said forward facing outer surface lengthwise along said wires or cables to comb and straighten same.  
 
     
     
         7 . The combination of: 
 a multi-wire or multi-cable assembly having a first end and an opposite end;    a wire/cable comb for combing and straightening the wires or cables in said assembly, said comb including a plurality of passages through which said wires or cables extend, said comb further including a first grasping portion for moving said comb along the length of said comb from said first end toward said opposite end combing and straightening said wires or cables.    
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7  and further comprising: 
 a plurality of wraps tying together said wires or cables and located between said first end and said comb once said comb has been straightened by said comb.  
 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein said comb further includes a second grasping portion for moving said comb along the length of said comb from said first end toward said opposite end combing and straightening said wires or cables, said first grasping portion and said second grasping portion are spaced apart with said assembly extending therebetween through said passages.  
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein said passages extend substantially parallel through said comb.  
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein said comb is plate shaped with length, width and thickness with said length and said width each substantially greater than said thickness.  
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein there are at least as many passages extending through said comb as there are wires or cables in said assembly.  
     
     
         13 . A method of combing and straightening the wires or cables respectively of a multi-wire assembly or multi-cable assembly with the assembly having a first end and an opposite second end comprising the steps of: 
 providing a comb with a plurality of essentially parallel passages extending therethrough with the comb having a handle for grasping and moving said comb along the length of the assembly from a first end to an opposite second end of the assembly;    locating said comb at the first end of the assembly;    extending said wires or cables through said plurality of passages;    moving said comb from said first end toward said opposite second end of the assembly combing and straightening said wires or cables.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  and further comprising the steps of: 
 periodically stopping movement at different locations along the length of the assembly; and,  
 tying said wires or cables together that have been straightened between said first end and said comb.  
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein: 
 said extending step includes the step of extending only a single wire or cable through each passage.  
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein: 
 said moving step includes grasping said handle and pulling said comb along the length of the assembly.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising the step of: 
 removing said comb from the assembly once the comb is located at the opposite second end.