Method and Apparatus for Removing Insulation from a Cable

Abstract

An apparatus for cable stripping and preparation. The apparatus includes a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism which is spaced from and in line with the first drive mechanism. Blade control arms with insulation cutting blades are movably mounted relative to the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism moves the insulation cutting blades from a first position to a second position. The second drive mechanism rotates the insulation cutting blades when the insulation cutting blades are in the second position.

1 . An apparatus for cable stripping and preparation, the apparatus comprising:
 a first drive mechanism;   a second drive mechanism which is spaced from and in line with the first drive mechanism;   blade control arms having insulation cutting blades, the blade control arms being movably mounted relative to the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism, the first drive mechanism moves the insulation cutting blades from a first position to a second position, the second drive mechanism rotates the insulation cutting blades when the insulation cutting blades are in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the blade control arms are mounted on a base of the apparatus, mounting members extend through the blade control arms to the base to pivotally mount the blade control arms to the base, the blade control arms extend through slots of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the blade control arms have the insulation cutting blades and braid cutting wheels provided thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a circular base with a center opening and arcuate slots positioned proximate the circumference of the circular base. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein three arcuate slots are provided. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the blade control arms are mounted on the base. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein mounting members extend through the blade control arms to the base, the mounting members pivotally mount the blade control arms to the base to allow the blade control arms to move or pivot relative to the base. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each blade control arm has a wheel mounting device which extends through a respective slot of the arcuate slots to mount to the first drive mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the blade control arms have braid cutting wheel mounting portions and insulation cutting blade mounting portions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein braid cutting wheels are mounted in the braid cutting wheel mounting portions and the insulation cutting blades are mounted in the insulation cutting blade mounting portions, the braid cutting wheels are mounted to allow the braid cutting wheels to spin or rotate relative to the braid cutting wheel mounting portions, the insulation cutting blades are fixedly mounted to the insulation cutting blade mounting portions. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the insulation cutting blades have arcuate cutting surfaces, the radius of which is approximate the radius of the cable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a first pulley cooperates with the first drive mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first pulley extends between the first drive mechanism and a first drive motor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first drive motor is a servo motor. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a second pulley cooperates with the second drive mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the second pulley extends between the second drive mechanism and a second drive motor. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the second drive motor is a servo motor. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a scrap tube extends from a back of the apparatus.