Multi-hole center-fed fiber optic stripping apparatus

A fiber optic stripping apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a fulcrum and a pair of outer arms extending from the fulcrum, each arm pivotal about the fulcrum;
• a pair of guide arms each attached at one end to a common pivot pin and at the other end to one of outer arm ends away from the fulcrum;
• a pair of first blades each first blade having a first blade edge, each of the first blades attached to a corresponding guide arm with the first blade edge extending in the direction of the corresponding frame arm;
• an upper and lower blade each having a second blade edge, each of the upper and lower blades attached to a corresponding guide arm with the upper and lower blade edges extending transverse to the direction of the corresponding frame arm, the upper and lower blades each having a first notch, the first notches forming a circle when the stripping apparatus is in a closed position;
• a first and second lower guide disposed on opposite sides of the lower blade, each of the first and second lower guides having a lower groove, the lower grooves aligned with the lower first notch;
• and
• a first and second upper guide disposed on opposite sides of the upper blade, each of the first and second upper guides having an upper groove, the upper grooves aligned with the upper first notch;
• whereby when a fiber optic cable is placed axially along the lower grooves and the stripping apparatus is moved to the closed position, an outer buffer tube on the fiber optic cable may be scored by the first notches.

A method for using a fiber optic stripping apparatus comprising:

• providing a fiber optic stripping apparatus including a frame having a fulcrum and a pair of outer arms extending from the fulcrum, each arm pivotal about the fulcrum, a pair of guide arms each attached at one end to a common pivot pin and at the other end to one of outer arm ends away from the fulcrum, a pair of first blades each first blade having a first blade edge, each of the first blades attached to a corresponding guide arm with the first blade edge extending in the direction of the corresponding frame arm, an upper and lower blade each having a second blade edge, each of the upper and lower blades attached to a corresponding guide arm with the upper and lower blade edges extending transverse to the direction of the corresponding frame arm, the upper and lower blades each having a first notch, the first notches forming a circle when the stripping apparatus is in a closed position, a first and second lower guide disposed on opposite sides of the lower blade, each of the first and second lower guides having a lower groove, the lower grooves aligned with the lower first notch and a first and second upper guide disposed on opposite sides of the upper blade, each of the first and second upper guides having an upper groove, the upper grooves aligned with the upper first notch, whereby when a fiber optic cable is placed axially along the lower grooves and the stripping apparatus is moved to the closed position, an outer buffer tube on the fiber optic cable may be scored by the first notches;
• providing a fiber optic cable having a central optical fiber, an inner buffer tube, an outer buffer tube and an outer jacket;
• ensuring the fiber optic stripping apparatus is in an open position;
• inserting the fiber optic cable between the first blades;
• urging the outer arms toward one another until the stripping apparatus is in the closed position;
• pulling the fiber optic cable axially until a portion of the outer jacket is removed from the fiber optic cable;
• releasing the outer arms until the fiber optic stripping apparatus is in the open position;
• inserting the fiber optic cable between the first notches in the upper and lower guides;
• urging the outer arms toward one another until the stripping apparatus is in the closed position;
• and
• pulling the fiber optic cable axially until a portion of the first buffer tube is removed from the fiber optic cable.