Twisted pair cable feeding mechanism and method

Abstract

A mechanism ( 10 ) for feeding a length of twisted pair cable ( 15 ), comprises a driven capstan ( 11 ) and a continuous belt ( 17 ) defining, respectively, first and second contact surfaces for the twisted pair cable ( 15 ). The continuous belt ( 17 ) is supported and arranged so that a portion thereof embraces an arc ( 16 ) of the substantially circular periphery of the capstan ( 11 ). Drive means are provided to effect rotation of the capstan ( 11 ), so as to feed a length of twisted pair cable ( 15 ) along the arcuate path ( 16 ) defined between the first and second contact surfaces where the arc ( 16 ) of the capstan ( 11 ) intersects the continuous belt ( 17 ). The arcuate path ( 16 ) is sufficiently narrow such that the capstan ( 11 ) and the continuous belt ( 17 ) embrace the length of twisted pair cable ( 15 ), and sufficiently long such that at least two nodes ( 19 ) of said length of twisted pair cable ( 15 ) are accommodated therein. This arrangement ensures feeding of the twisted pair cable ( 15 ) along the arcuate path ( 16 ) without causing rotation of the cable ( 15 ) about its axis.

1 . A mechanism for feeding a length of twisted pair cable, said mechanism comprising:
 a first contact surface;   a second opposed contact surface;   a path defined between said first and second contact surfaces and adapted to receive a length of twisted pair cable; and   drive means adapted to effect motion of at least one of said first and second contact surfaces, thereby to drive a length of twisted pair cable along said path;   whereby in use, said first and second contact surfaces embrace a length of twisted pair cable inserted into the path, such that at least two nodes of said length of twisted pair cable are accommodated therein, and said twisted pair cable is driven along the path, without causing rotation of said twisted pair cable about its axis.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , in which:
 the first contact surface comprises a capstan having a substantially circular periphery;   the second opposed contact surface comprises a portion of a continuous belt supported such that said portion embraces an arc of the capstan periphery; and   the drive means is adapted to effect rotation of the capstan;   whereby in use, rotation of the capstan effects feeding of a length of twisted pair cable around said arc of the capstan periphery, without causing rotation of said length of twisted pair cable about its axis.   
   
   
       4 . The mechanism of  claim 2 , in which a path adapted to receive a length of twisted pair cable is at least partially defined by said arc of the capstan periphery, said arc comprising an arc of substantially 90°. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The mechanism of  claim 2 , in which said continuous belt is supported on at least two rollers. 
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , in which the continuous belt is supported on three rollers. 
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , in which said rollers and said capstan are arranged such that axes thereof are parallel to one another. 
   
   
       9 . The mechanism of  claim 7 , in which said three rollers are arranged so as to form corners of a triangle, and wherein an arc of the capstan periphery intersects one side of said triangle. 
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 9 , in which said three rollers are arranged so as to form corners of a right-angled triangle having a hypotenuse, and wherein an arc of the capstan periphery intersects said hypotenuse of said right-angled triangle. 
   
   
       11 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , in which at least one roller comprises a cylindrical body adapted to receive the continuous belt, and upper and lower flanges extending radially beyond said cylindrical body so as to constrain the belt therebetween. 
   
   
       12 . The mechanism of  claim 3 , in which the capstan comprises a cylindrical body defining said first contact surface for a length of twisted pair cable also being embraced by said second opposed contact surface defined by the continuous belt, and upper and lower flanges extending radially beyond said cylindrical body so as to constrain said cable and belt therebetween. 
   
   
       13 . The mechanism of  claim 3 , further comprising guide means adapted to direct said twisted pair cable around an arc of the capstan periphery. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , comprising first and second guide means further defining said path adapted to receive a length of twisted pair cable, said first and second guide means being arranged at substantially 90° to one another. 
   
   
       17 . The mechanism of  claim 16 , in which each guide means comprises a block having a channel formed therein, said channel being adapted to receive passage of a length of twisted pair cable therethrough, and wherein axes of the channels of said first and second guide means are arranged at substantially 90° to one another. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , in which the drive means is adapted also to effect rotational movement of one or more of said rollers. 
   
   
       21 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , in which said rollers are adapted to rotate freely upon rotation of the capstan. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , adapted for feeding a length of twisted pair cable to a wiring head of an automated or robotic wiring system. 
   
   
       24 . A method of feeding a length of twisted pair cable, said method comprising steps of:
 introducing a length of twisted pair cable into a path defined between a first contact surface, and a second opposed contact surface, such that said first and second contact surfaces embrace said length of twisted pair cable, and such that at least two nodes of said length of twisted pair cable are accommodated therein; and   driving at least one of said first and second opposed contact surfaces, so as to effect feeding of said length of twisted pair cable along said path, without causing rotation of said twisted pair cable about its axis.   
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , in which the first contact surface comprises a capstan having a substantially circular periphery, the second opposed contact surface comprises a portion of a continuous belt supported such that said portion embraces an arc of the capstan periphery; and the capstan is driven so as to effect feeding of a length of twisted pair cable along a path at least partially defined by said arc of the capstan periphery, thereby effecting feeding of said length of twisted pair cable without causing rotation of said twisted pair cable about its axis. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , in which said path at least partially defined by said arc of the capstan periphery comprises an arc of substantially 90°. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , adapted for feeding a length of twisted pair cable to a wiring head of an automated or robotic wiring system. 
   
   
       29 . (canceled)