Safety cable tool

A tool for tensioning safety cable to a predetermined tension limit and for automatically terminating the cable when the predetermined limit is reached, the tool comprising:

• rotatable means mounted for reciprocating rotation about a point on the tool for incrementally advancing the cable during a drive stroke;
• a toggle assembly operatively connected to said rotatable means for affecting reciprocal rotating motion thereof;
• tension setting means operatively coupled to said toggle assembly for inhibiting rotation of the rotatable means when tension on the cable is greater than a preselected value;
• an elongated nosepiece extending from an end of the tool, a distal end of said nosepiece having an aperture for passing the safety cable therethrough generally transverse to an elongate direction of said nosepiece, said nosepiece further having a passageway extending from a proximal end of said nosepiece in said elongate direction to an intersection with said aperture;
• a plunger mounted in said passageway in said nosepiece for reciprocating motion therein, said plunger having at least a portion thereof extending outwardly from said proximal end of said nosepiece;
• retaining means attached adjacent an end of said at least a portion of said plunger extending outwardly of said nosepiece;
• spring means positioned about said at least a portion of said plunger, said spring means being generally compressed between said proximal end of said-nosepiece and said retaining means for urging said plunger in a direction away from said aperture;
• cap means fixed to the tool for retaining said nosepiece thereto, said nosepiece being slidably retained to said tool and rotatable about said elongate direction for aligning said aperture at selected angular directions transverse to said elongate direction;
• and
• means operative in response to inhibited rotation of the rotatable means for terminating the cable.