Stripping device with alignment maintaining feature for improving strip performance

Abstract

A device is disclosed for stripping an outer material from a transmission carrier that has an end block defining a passageway therethrough for positioning the transmission carrier therein. Grip members are pivotally attached to the end block and movable between an open position and a cutting position. In one embodiment, an alignment mechanism is attached to at least one of the grip members for holding the outer material of the transmission carrier at a distal point spaced from the end block with a predetermined alignment and/or clamping force to inhibit buckling of the outer material during removal. A cutting mechanism associated with the end block proximate to the passageway is actuated by pivoting the grip members to a cutting position for removal of the outer material. Another variation includes a fracture mechanism that induces material fracture of the outer material during pivoting of the grip members.

1 . A device for stripping an outer material from a transmission carrier, the device comprising: 
 an end block, the end block having a transmission carrier insert guide, the transmission carrier insert guide being removable;    a pair of grip members each having a heel end and a toe end, the grip members being pivotally attached to the end block at the heel ends so as to be movable between an open position and a cutting position, the toe ends contacting each other when the grip members are in the cutting position;    at least one movable cutting blade disposed in the end block and actuated by pivoting of the grip members to the cutting position to cut an end portion of the outer material;    at least one flexible member disposed on at least one of the grip member toe portions for clamping the end portion of the outer material at a point spaced from the movable cutting blade; and    a relief passage disposed in at least one of the grip member toe portions sized for receiving the end portion of the outer material when the grip members are in the cutting position.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including an alignment mechanism disposed between the cutting blade and the flexible member.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the alignment mechanism includes one of a flexible member, a capstan assembly, or a leaf spring assembly.  
   
   
       4 . A device for stripping an outer material from a transmission carrier, the device comprising: 
 an end block, the end block having a transmission carrier insert guide, the transmission carrier insert guide being removable;    a pair of grip members each having a heel end and a toe end, the grip members being pivotally attached to the end block at the heel ends so as to be movable between an open position and a cutting position, the toe ends contacting each other when the grip members are in the cutting position;    at least one movable cutting blade disposed in the end block and actuated by pivoting of the grip members to the cutting position to cut an end portion of the outer material; and    a fracture mechanism, the fracture mechanism being movable when the grip members are pushed together for inducing the fracture of the outer material of the transmission carrier.    
   
   
       5 . A device for stripping an outer material from a transmission carrier, the device comprising: 
 an end block;    a pair of grip members pivotally attached to the end block movable between an open position and a cutting position;    a cutting mechanism disposed in the end block and actuated by pivoting of the grip members to the cutting position to cut an end portion of the outer material; and    a resilient means for holding a portion of the outer material at a distal point spaced from the cutting mechanism with a force sufficient to allow the end portion of the outer material to be stripped from the transmission carrier, thereby inhibiting buckling over a portion of the outer material being stripped.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , a fracture mechanism, the fracture mechanism being movable when the grip members are pushed together.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the resilient means is disposed on one of the grip members, and at least one grip member has a relief passage, a capstan assembly, or a leaf spring assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5 , further including means for pulling the end portion of the outer material off the transmission carrier.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the means for pulling includes one of a capstan assembly or a leaf spring assembly.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the cutting mechanism includes two reciprocating cutting blades held in the end block, the two reciprocating cutting blades being removable.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the end block further includes a transmission carrier insert guide for positioning the transmission carrier, the transmission carrier insert guide being removable.  
   
   
       12 . A device for stripping an outer material from a transmission carrier, the device comprising: 
 an end block defining a passageway therethrough, the transmission carrier being placeable in the passageway;    a pair of grip members pivotally attached to the end block and movable between an open position and a cutting position;    an alignment mechanism attached to at least one of the grip members for aligning the transmission carrier at a distal point spaced from the end block; and    a cutting mechanism attached to the end block proximate the passageway and actuated by pivoting of the grip members to the cutting position to cut the outer material of the transmission carrier to create an end portion of the outer material;    whereby the transmission carrier can be removed from the passageway while the alignment mechanism holds the end portion of the outer material of the transmission carrier at the distal point, thereby allowing a stripping off the end portion by inhibiting buckling over a length of the end portion.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , a fracture mechanism, the fracture mechanism being movable when the grip members are pushed together.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the grip members include heel portions and toe portions extending from the heel portions, the grip members being pivotally attached to the end block via the heel portions, and wherein the alignment mechanism includes at least one resilient clamping member being attached to the toe portions for applying a clamping force to the portion of the outer material being removed.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the toe portions contact each other and the at least one resilient clamping member is compressed when the grip members are in the cutting position.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the grip members include heel portions and toe portions extending from the heel portions, and wherein the alignment mechanism includes a notch disposed in a surface of at least one of the toe portions, thereby inhibiting the formation of a crushing zone between the grip members.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the grip members include heel portions and toe portions extending from the heel portions, and wherein the alignment mechanism includes a first alignment mechanism disposed on at least one of the toe portions, and further including a second alignment mechanism disposed between the cutting mechanism and the first alignment mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first alignment mechanism includes one or more of at least one flexible member and a notch disposed in at least one of the toe portions.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 10 , the device further including a spring member attached to at least one of the grip members for biasing the grip members to an open position.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the distal point is about 50 mm or greater from the end block.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 10 , the alignment mechanism including a resilient clamping member for providing the predetermined clamping force.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting mechanism includes two reciprocating cutting blades.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the two reciprocating cutting blades are held in the end block, the two reciprocating cutting blades being removable.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the end block further includes a transmission carrier insert guide for positioning the transmission carrier, the transmission carrier insert guide being removable.