US 2010/0058581 A1 · HYBRID FIBER/COPPER CABLE PREPARATION TOOL

Abstract

A preparation tool includes a base with first and second ends and first and second major sides. A first cable insertion opening extends from the first end toward the second end. A first slot in the first major side communicates with the first opening for receiving a jacket cutting tool. A second insertion opening extends from the first end toward the second end. A second slot in the first major side communicates with the second opening for receiving a marking tool. A third cable insertion opening extends from the first end toward the second end and forms a stop surface therein. A recess formed in the first major side and in the second end defines a platform. A cable channel extends from the third insertion opening across the platform to the second end. Two pins project from the platform on opposite sides of the channel. The base includes a stationary portion and a pivotal portion. The pins are located on the stationary portion. The movable portion defines the second end of the base. The stationary portion defines a supplemental end surface facing in same direction as second end. The tool further includes a cutout aligned with the cable channel and extending from the platform to the second major side and extending from the supplemental end surface into the stationary portion of the base.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A preparation tool for preparing a hybrid fiber/copper cable for termination to a telecommunications connector, the preparation tool comprising:

a base defining a first end, a second end, a first major side and a second major side, the base including a first portion and a second portion that is pivotally movable with respect to the first portion, the second portion defining the second end of the base, the first portion defining a supplemental end surface facing in the same direction as the second end;
a first cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein a first slot in the first major side is in communication with the first cable insertion opening for receipt of a jacket cutting tool;
a second cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein a second slot in the first major side is in communication with the second cable insertion opening for receipt of a cable marking tool;
a third cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein a stop surface is formed in the third cable insertion opening;
a recess formed in the first major side and in the second end, the recess defining a platform;
a cable channel extending from the third cable insertion opening across the platform to the second end of the base;
two alignment pins projecting from the platform, the alignment pins located on opposite sides of the cable channel, the alignment pins located on the first portion of the base;
and
a cutout aligned with the cable channel, the cutout extending from the platform to the second major side and extending from the supplemental end surface into the first portion of the base.

6 more elements

A cable preparation kit for preparing a hybrid fiber/copper cable for termination to a telecommunications connector, the preparation kit comprising:

(a) a cable jacket cutting tool;
(b) a cable marking tool;
(c) a metallic wire cutter;
(d) a fiber optic stripping tool;
(e) a fiber optic cleaving tool;
and
(f) a cable preparation guide tool, the cable preparation guide tool comprising:
(i) a base defining a first end, a second end, a first major side and a second major side, the base including a first portion and a second portion that is pivotally movable with respect to the first portion, the second portion defining the second end of the base, the first portion defining a supplemental end surface facing in the same direction as the second end;
(ii) a first cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein a first slot in the first major side is in communication with the first cable insertion opening for receipt of the cable jacket cutting tool;
(iii) a second cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein a second slot in the first major side is in communication with the second cable insertion opening for receipt of the cable marking tool;
(iv) a third cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end, wherein a stop surface is formed in the third cable insertion opening;
(v) a recess formed in the first major side and in the second end, the recess defining a platform;
(vi) a cable channel extending from the third cable insertion opening across the platform to the second end of the base;
(vii) two alignment pins projecting from the platform, the alignment pins located on opposite sides of the cable channel, the alignment pins located on the first portion of the base;
and
(viii) a cutout aligned with the cable channel, the cutout extending from the platform to the second major side and extending from the supplemental end surface into the first portion of the base.

13 more elements

A method of preparing a hybrid fiber/copper cable for termination to a telecommunications connector, the hybrid fiber/copper cable including a cable jacket, a grounding braid, a strength member, a plurality of metal wires, and a plurality of optical fibers, the method comprising:

providing a cable preparation guide tool comprising:
a base defining a first end, a second end, a first major side and a second major side, the base including a first portion and a second portion that is pivotally movable with respect to the first portion, the second portion defining the second end of the base, the first portion defining a supplemental end surface facing in the same direction as the second end;
a first cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end and defining a first stop surface, wherein a first slot in the first major side is in communication with the first cable insertion opening;
a second cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end and defining a second stop surface, wherein a second slot in the first major side is in communication with the second cable insertion opening;
a third cable insertion opening extending from the first end toward the second end and defining a third stop surface;
a recess formed in the first major side and in the second end, the recess defining a platform;
and
a cable channel extending from the third cable insertion opening across the platform to the second end of the base;
inserting the cable into the first cable insertion opening until the cable abuts the first stop surface;
cutting the cable jacket by inserting a cable jacket cutting tool into the first slot and rotating the cable within the first cable insertion opening;
removing the cable from the first cable insertion opening and removing the cut jacket exposing the grounding braid;
inserting the cable into the second cable insertion opening until the cable abuts the second stop surface;
marking the grounding braid with a cable marking tool inserted into the second slot;
removing the cable from the second cable insertion opening and cutting the grounding braid at the market point, leaving at least a portion of the grounding braid exposed from the cable jacket;
inserting the cable into the third cable insertion opening until the grounding braid abuts the third stop surface;
placing the metal wires and the strength member within the cable channel while keeping the optical fibers out of the channel;
cutting the metal wires and the strength member with a metallic wire cutter abutting against the second end of the base;
pivoting the second portion away from the first portion of the base;
moving the metal wires out of the cable channel, leaving the strength member in the channel;
cutting the strength member with the metallic wire cutter abutting against the supplemental end surface;
moving the strength member out of the cable channel and placing one of the optical fibers into the cable channel;
and
stripping a buffer material from the optical fiber with a fiber optic stripping tool abutting against the supplemental end surface.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid fiber/copper cable preparation tool

Life of this patent

Hybrid fiber/copper cable preparation tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20