Entry tool and methods for use for tubes or cables
AssigneesSumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp., Ripley Tools, LLC
InventorsTony Blackwell, David Squires, Manuel A. Santos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods are disclosed for gaining access to optical fibers contained within a fiber optic cable. Specifically, a cable entry tool can include a first jaw that can have a substantially V-shaped first channel formed therein, a first cutting element extending into the first channel and movable to any of a variety of depths, a second jaw positioned opposing the first jaw and that can have a substantially V-shaped second channel formed therein, and a second cutting element extending into the second channel and movable to any of a variety of depths. The first channel and the second channel can be movable with respect to each other for receiving therebetween a buffer tube having any of a variety of tube diameters.
Claims21
A method for gaining access to optical fibers contained within a fiber optic buffer tube, the method comprising:
- positioning a buffer tube between a first jaw having a substantially V-shaped first channel formed therein and a second jaw having a substantially V-shaped second channel formed therein, the buffer tube being received by the first channel and the second channel;
- operating a first depth adjustment mechanism to extend a first cutting element a first predetermined depth into the first channel;
- operating a second depth adjustment mechanism to extend a second cutting element a second predetermined depth into the second channel;
- pressing the first jaw and the second jaw together such that the first cutting element and the second cutting element penetrate substantially through an outer wall of the buffer tube;
- and
- moving the buffer tube with respect to the first and second cutting elements to cut the outer wall of the buffer tube.
An entry tool for tubes and cables, the tool comprising:
- a first jaw having a substantially V-shaped first channel and at least one additional substantially V-shaped channel;
- a first cutting element extending from the first jaw into the first channel;
- a first depth adjustment mechanism in communication with the first cutting element and operable to adjustably set a distance the first cutting element extends from the first jaw into the first channel;
- a second jaw positioned opposing the first jaw and having a substantially V-shaped second channel and at least one additional substantially V-shaped channel;
- and
- a second cutting element extending from the second jaw into the second channel;
- a second depth adjustment mechanism in communication with the second cutting element and operable to adjustably set a distance the second cutting element extends from the second jaw into the second channel;
- the first channel and the second channel being movable with respect to each other for receiving therebetween tubes or cables having a variety of different diameters.
An entry tool comprising:
- a first grip handle having a first end and a second end;
- a second grip handle having a first end and a second end attached to the second end of the first grip handle;
- a first jaw connected to the first end of the first grip handle, the first jaw having a first channel formed therein;
- a first cutting element extending into the first channel, the first cutting element being oriented substantially parallel with a long axis of the first grip handle;
- a first depth adjustment mechanism in communication with the first cutting element and operable to adjustably set a distance the first cutting element extends into the first channel;
- a second jaw connected to the first end of the second grip handle and positioned opposing the first jaw, the second jaw having a second channel formed therein;
- and
- a second cutting element extending into the second channel, the second cutting element being oriented substantially parallel with a long axis of the second grip handle;
- a second depth adjustment mechanism in communication with the second cutting element and operable to adjustably set a distance the second cutting element extends into the second channel;
- the first channel and the second channel being movable with respect to each other for separately receiving therebetween tubes or cables having a variety of different diameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.