Abstract: An insertion and extraction tool for a fiber optic connector is provided. The tool includes a first frame member, second frame member, and a pivot connection. The pivot connection secures the first and second frame members to one another for movement between an open position and a closed position. The frame members define tips at one side of the pivot connection and handles at an opposite side of the pivot connection. The frame members, at least at the tips, have a cross sectional width equal to or smaller than the fiber optic connector. The frame members are configured so that the tips define a plurality of discrete gripping regions.

Abstract: A cable stripping tool for stripping the outer jacket of a cable having a length. The tool includes a tool frame having an elongated opening and a cable support disposed on the tool frame including at least one support surface for maintaining the cable in a relative position on the tool. The tool includes a roller assembly having an offset block movable along the elongated opening, a roller wheel rotatingly attached to an end of the block member adjacent the cable support and a loading knob attached to an opposite end of the offset block as the roller wheel. The tool includes a blade having a cutting edge extendable from the cable support surface toward the cable. The blade cutting edge may be rotatable between a first direction parallel to the cable length, a third direction perpendicular to the cable length and a second position between the first and third position.

Abstract: A cable stripping tool for stripping the outer jacket of a cable having a length. The tool includes a tool frame having an elongated opening and a cable support disposed on the tool frame including at least one support surface for maintaining the cable in a relative position on the tool. The tool includes a roller assembly having an offset block movable along the elongated opening, a roller wheel rotatingly attached to an end of the block member adjacent the cable support and a loading knob attached to an opposite end of the offset block as the roller wheel. The tool includes a blade having a cutting edge extendable from the cable support surface toward the cable. The blade cutting edge may be rotatable between a first direction parallel to the cable length, a third direction perpendicular to the cable length and a second position between the first and third position.

Abstract: An adjustable wire stripper has a jaw for positioning a length of cable, a tool body for tangentially contacting the cable, a blade having a cantilevered loading ramp for cutting the insulation off the cable, and a blade angle adjustment shaft driven by an angle adjustment member. A frame member disposed between the jaw and the body adjusts the distance between the jaw and the body to accommodate cables of different diameters. The frame member relatively moves the jaw and the body with respect to each other along a line having a constant sliding angle. The angle adjustment shaft has a flange extending radially outwardly for driving the shaft to different angles of rotation with respect to the body. An optional assist spring bearing opposite the flange urges the flange against the blade angle adjustment member during movement of the flange to reduce backlash of the shaft.

Abstract: A fiber optic stripping apparatus comprising a frame having an axis and a pair of outer arms extending from the axis, each arm pivotal about the axis and a pair of first blades each first blade having a first blade edge, each of the first blades attached to a corresponding frame arm with the first blade edge extending in the direction of the corresponding frame arm. The stripping apparatus includes a pair of second blades each second blade having a second blade edge, each of the second blades attached to a corresponding frame arm with the second blade edge extending transverse to the direction of the corresponding frame arm, the second blades each having a first set of notches forming a circle when the stripping apparatus is in a closed position and a second set of notches substantially forming a circle when the stripping apparatus is in the closed position.

Abstract: An adjustable wire stripper has a jaw for positioning a length of cable, a tool body for tangentially contacting the cable, a blade having a cantilevered loading ramp for cutting the insulation off the cable, and a blade angle adjustment shaft driven by an angle adjustment member. A frame member disposed between the jaw and the body adjusts the distance between the jaw and the body to accommodate cables of different diameters. The frame member relatively moves the jaw and the body with respect to each other along a line having a constant sliding angle. The angle adjustment shaft has a flange extending radially outwardly for driving the shaft to different angles of rotation with respect to the body. An optional assist spring bearing opposite the flange urges the flange against the blade angle adjustment member during movement of the flange to reduce backlash of the shaft.

Abstract: A fiber optic stripping apparatus comprising a frame having an axis and a pair of outer arms extending from the axis, each arm pivotal about the axis and a pair of first blades each first blade having a first blade edge, each of the first blades attached to a corresponding frame arm with the first blade edge extending in the direction of the corresponding frame arm. The stripping apparatus includes a pair of second blades each second blade having a second blade edge, each of the second blades attached to a corresponding frame arm with the second blade edge extending transverse to the direction of the corresponding frame arm, the second blades each having a first set of notches forming a circle when the stripping apparatus is in a closed position and a second set of notches substantially forming a circle when the stripping apparatus is in the closed position.

Abstract: A compression assembly tool for attaching a connector to a coaxial cable includes a tool body that supports a connector to be compressed in a compression head, a fixed handle, a moving lever handle, and an axially sliding plunger. The lever handle is pivotally connected to the tool body at the front end and to a link at the back end. The connection of the link to the back end of the lever handle and the placement of pivot points at opposite ends of the lever handle provides a scissor action appearance. The relative lengths of the lever handle, plunger and link and the placement of the pivots provides high levels of compression force and sufficient compression travel by the plunger to compress connectors of different lengths while requiring only a very limited handle opening angle, which allows maximum hand strength to be applied to the tool handles.

Abstract: A compression assembly hand tool for attaching a connector to a coaxial cable tool includes a sliding carriage driven by handles through multiple stages of mechanical advantage to provide a very high level of compression assembly force in order to compress large diameter connectors. The middle and the back of a connector are engaged between relatively closely spaced, parallel, and opposed compression surfaces on the front of the tool and on the sliding carriage. Adapter inserts that slide into openings in the compression surfaces allow different connector sizes to be compressed. The tool allows the cable to extend outward from either end so that splice connectors may be attached. In the preferred design, a ratcheting system using two pawls provides the very highest level of compression force.

Abstract: A compression assembly hand tool for attaching a connector to a coaxial cable tool includes a sliding carriage driven by handles through multiple stages of mechanical advantage to provide a very high level of compression assembly force in order to compress large diameter connectors. The middle and the back of a connector are engaged between relatively closely spaced, parallel, and opposed compression surfaces on the front of the tool and on the sliding carriage. Adapter inserts that slide into openings in the compression surfaces allow different connector sizes to be compressed. the tool allows the cable to extend outward from either end so that splice connectors may be attached. In the preferred design, a ratcheting system using two pawls provides the very highest level of compression force.

Abstract: A compression assembly hand tool for attaching a connector to a cable by axially compressing the connector has a reduced actuation force to operate the tool. Increased leverage is achieved through the use of a long swing arm link having one end connected via a first pivot directly to the tool body and the other end connected via a second pivot to a handle. The handle is connected to drive a plunger via a third pivot.

Abstract: A flaring tool for flaring the outer conductors of two different sizes of coaxial cable includes a dome-shaped body and a reversible tool head. The tool head has first and second shafts and first and second flaring heads on opposite sides. Reversing the tool head exposes the shaft and flaring head for the corresponding size coaxial cable. The shafts match the inner diameter of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable to be flared. The flaring heads are shaped as half cones, which allow the outer conductor to be flared without deforming the insulation between the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A compression assembly tool having multiple split bases for attaching connectors of different sizes to corresponding coaxial cables of different dimensions by compressing the connectors axially. The tool uses a light rigid O-frame and at least two pairs of split base supports located at different distances from a compression plunger driven by a lever handle. The handle is spring-loaded to the open position, but is held in the closed position by a wire bail for storage. The pairs of split base supports have annular bearing surfaces of different diameters that support the back of different connectors over a full 360 degrees. The split base supports are pivotally attached to the body, are held closed by a spring and are easily opened by squeezing push surfaces located on the split base supports towards each other to pivot the split base supports to the open position.

Abstract: An adjustable cable slitting tool for longitudinally slitting optical fiber buffer tubes and other precision cables includes a T-shaped body and a guide that slides relative to the body to hold and guide the cable to be slit in a guide channel. A slitting blade is mounted on a blade carriage that can be precisely adjusted with an adjustment screw to control the depth the slitting blade projects into the guide channel. A scale and indicator marks allow the desired depth of cut to be adjusted with precision by comparing indicator marks on the adjustment screw with the scale and other indicator marks on the tool body. The adjustment screw has a tapered portion that drives the blade carriage through a single contact point via a ball bearing. A deformable pad material in contact with a threaded portion of the adjustment screw acts as both a friction adjustment and part of the backlash prevention mechanism.

Abstract: A slitting and shaving tool for separating a coaxial cable with a curved outer surface from an adjacent cable connected to it with a web of insulating material. The tool includes a slitting blade for cutting through the web to separate the cables and a shaving blade with a curved cutting edge for shaving off excess web material to leave a smooth cylindrical outer surface on the coaxial cable. The tool is hinged to swing open, allowing the tool to be used at intermediate locations along the length of a messengered cable. A cable guide surface on the tool body has a double radius to accommodate cables that have a slight bend. The shaving blade is adjustable towards and away from the cable being shaved. A relief hole allows the shaved excess web material to exit the tool. The relief hole is specially shaped to make it easy to position the curved cutting edge of the shaving blade correctly by locating it in alignment with the apparent perimeter of the relief hole.