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US 6,751,834 B2Granted
Automatic jacketing of a cable
AssigneeBrooks Automation, Inc.
InventorSteven J. Gordon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for automatically inserting a cable into a protective jacket. A longitudinal cut is made in the protective jacket and the cable is inserted into the longitudinal cut. The cable and jacket are transported through the apparatus along an arcuate guide path formed by a friction wheel.
Claims16
An apparatus for inserting a cable into a protective jacket comprising:
- a slot for inserting said cable into said apparatus;
- a cutter for making a longitudinal slit in said jacket;
- an insertion area proximate to said slot where said cable is inserted into said slit;
- an arcuate guide path which guides said jacket to said cutter and guides said cable and said jacket through said insertion area;
- and
- a friction wheel, forming one side of said arcuate guide path, said friction wheel to transport said jacket through said apparatus, wherein said friction wheel maintains contact with said jacket at said cutter, and also at said insertion area.
3 more elements
A method of inserting a cable into a protective jacket comprising the steps of:
- forming a longitudinal slit in said jacket with a cutter;
- inserting said cable into said slit at an insertion area;
- and
- transporting and guiding said jacket and said cable in an arcuate guide path using a friction wheel that maintains contact at said cutter with said jacket as said jacket travels past said cutter, and also maintains contact at said insertion area with said jacket as said jacket and said cable travel through said insertion area.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.